Tua says Dolphins in right frame of mind for key Thursday game vs. Bills; Raheem Mostert, De’Von Achane status in doubt

MIAMI GARDENS — The Miami Dolphins have any number of reasons to be distracted on a short week as they answer more questions from the media about the aftermath of star wide receiver Tyreek Hill’s detainment and treatment from police Sunday than the game itself.

But quarterback Tua Tagovailoa assures that the Dolphins are prepared to take on the Buffalo Bills in a key AFC East showdown Thursday night at Hard Rock Stadium with so much else swirling around the team .

“Every game, to us, is important,” Tagovailoa said Tuesday amid three days of rapid preparation following Sunday’s 20-17 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars , “but I think guys that are in the locker room, guys are in the right frame of mind. Guys are ready to play this game.”

Tagovailoa is aware of the narratives surrounding the Dolphins and Bills as the two teams appear, once again, primed to battle for AFC East supremacy. The previous battles have gone Buffalo’s way. The Bills have won four straight division titles and have won 11 of the last 12 pairings between rivals.

“That’s going to be what’s written out there until we do something about that,” said Tagovailoa, who enters 1-6 against Buffalo in his career. “That’s going to be the narrative, that we can’t beat the Bills, and until we do beat them and we beat them consistently, none of that’s going to change. And we have an opportunity to do that this year. We have an opportunity to do that this Thursday.”

But he’s not letting any of the past, like last year’s loss at home in the regular season finale that won the division for Buffalo, linger this season.

“Last year’s last year,” he said. “We’ll worry about this year.”

Tagovailoa noted that new safety Jordan Poyer , who came over from Buffalo and sits next to the Dolphins quarterback in the locker, can offer help with what the Bills do defensively, how they communicate, how they’ve stopped Miami previously and the overall philosophy of that defense.

Meanwhile, Tagovailoa downplayed how much the presence of backup quarterback Mike White, who spent last season and the past training camp with the Dolphins, could help the Bills with him on their practice squad. Miami’s quarterback noted his team doesn’t even use signals to be picked up.

Mostert, Achane in question

The Dolphins merely held a walkthrough Tuesday after not practicing Monday, but in another estimated injury report, running backs Raheem Mostert and De’Von Achane were deemed as non-participants.

Mostert has a chest injury and Achane an ankle ailment coming off Sunday’s win against the Jaguars.

“It’s just a short week. There’s a process for everyone,” said offensive coordinator Frank Smith on Tuesday. “We have a bunch of guys that are very willing to do whatever is necessary and have complete skill sets. Whatever happens when we go to Thursday, we’ll have a plan to be able to get ourselves in the best position for competing on Thursday versus Buffalo.”

Jeff Wilson Jr. was the third running back up for Miami, and he was effective in the fourth quarter, taking five carries for a team-leading 26 yards.

Rookie running back Jaylen Wright was a healthy inactive, but he could be thrust into action Thursday if one or both of Achane and Mostert are unavailable or limited against the Bills.

“They may be a little banged up, but I still expect them to play,” Wright told the Sun Sentinel. “But my main thing is, I just got to be ready for that time. Whenever that time is to come, it’s my opportunity.”

He added he’ll approach every week with the same mindset to be ready.

Smith noted overall needs of the team, including defense and special teams for why he was inactive Sunday.

This story will be updated.