Miami Dolphins

UNC in the NFL: Former Tar Heels QB T.J. Yates headed to Miami

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

foxsports

UNC alumnus T.J. Yates signs with Miami to back up Matt Moore

Former North Carolina quarterback T.J. Yates has signed with the Miami Dolphins to back up starting quarterback Matt Moore.

The move comes just a day after the team was notified that regular starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill suffered ACL and MCL sprains in his left knee and is likely to miss at least two games.

Yates, himself, was just cleared to play football in August after tearing his ACL in December of 2015.

To make room for Yates on the roster, the team placed center Mike Pouncey on season-ending injured reserve. Pouncey had played in just five games this season after suffering multiple hip injuries.

Aug 16, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback T.J. Yates (13) attempts a pass during the fourth quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Yates was originally with the Houston Texans who selected him in the fifth round of the 2011 NFL Draft. He spent three seasons in Houston before joining the Atlanta Falcons in 2014. After just one season in Atlanta, Yates went back to Houston in 2015 and played just four games before suffering a season-ending knee injury.

The 29-year-old quarterback has appeared in only 20 games since entering the league and has thrown seven touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He did, however, lead the Texans to their first playoff win in 2011 over the Cincinnati Bengals.

The Dolphins are hoping to steady the ship as they are currently in the middle of a push to make the playoffs. At 8-5, they sit just outside of the playoff picture but have chances to pick up wins against the Jets and Bills before playing the Patriots on New Years Day.