Lions preparing for both Osweiler and Tannehill

Allen Park — The Detroit Lions don't know which Miami Dolphins quarterback to prepare for this week, so they're preparing for both. 

Despite Brock Osweiler leading the Dolphins to a come-from-behind victory over the Chicago Bears on Sunday, a game in which the Dolphins put up 541 yards of offense, there's no quarterback controversy in Miami.

Coach Adam Gase has already committed to Ryan Tannehill remaining the starter, preemptively cutting off a reporter's question on the topic Monday afternoon.

"Yes, he will be the starter," Gase said. "You didn’t think I was going to anticipate that like that?"

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But after a lingering shoulder injury, reportedly an AC joint sprain, kept Tannehill out of the lineup against the Bears he's considered day-to-day heading into the week's practice. Given the uncertainty, the Lions are left to prepare for the possibility of either quarterback playing Sunday when the team travels to Miami. 

"You try to take a look at both players individually," Lions coach Matt Patricia said. "There’s a scheme that’s behind all of it. That’s probably the first and foremost thing that we’ll attack right now and try to dive into.

"Each quarterback is a little bit different though, as far as the two players athletically and both kind of in the system and what they can do, as far as that’s concerned. But both are very talented, very good players for us to try to prepare for."

Patricia knows the Dolphins well, from his days as New England Patriots defensive coordinator, and the franchise has proved to be a tough foe in recent years, especially in Miami, where the home team won three of the past four matchups. 

"It’s just a real tough environment for us to go down there and play and it will be a big challenge for us," Patricia said. "They’re obviously one of the better teams at home in the league right now, undefeated at home and playing at a high level. It will be a big challenge. It’s one of those trips where you really have to dial in and we have to get everybody working in the same direction on the same page and we have to get off to a fast start the best we can."

Against Patricia’s defenses, Tannehill has posted a 3-6 record as a starter, completing 61.3 percent of his passes for 2,486 yards, 12 touchdowns and interceptions. Osweiler is 1-3 against Patricia.  

jdrogers@detroitnews.com

Twitter @justin_rogers