MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — The Miami Dolphins are back at Hard Rock Stadium Saturday night for preseason game No. 2.
Up next: The Washington Commanders, who have been in town since Wednesday. The teams held a joint practice Thursday that gave a sneak preview of what to expect under the lights.
Washington Commanders vs. Miami Dolphins Preview
Will We See Starters (i.e., Tua Tagovailoa)?
Mike McDaniel keeps his preseason plans pretty close to his chest, but if history is any guide, expect to see Tua Tagovailoa get a couple of series Saturday night.
That’s his traditional workload in second preseason games under McDaniel, and Tua wants to play.
The only reason he wouldn’t? If McDaniel decides it’s not worth putting him at risk with so many other starters missing (namely Jaylen Waddle, Terron Armstead, and Aaron Brewer).
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“The idea from a starting point is that I want some starters to play in the game,” McDaniel said Thursday. “Now, to say exactly which individuals those are, specifically with the collection of injuries that you have to manage and not really knowing what takes place today, we’ll make some final assessments on who those players are going to be as a staff tomorrow.
“But approaching it, and as I’ve explained to the players, the approach will be that the guys that are known starters, with exceptions. But the starting point is that they will get some action this game, and then we’ll take it case by case from there.”
WR Battles Continue
While McDaniel is saying the right things about Odell Beckham Jr.’s prolonged absence, time is certainly running short for the Dolphins to figure out their pecking order at receiver after Tyreek Hill and Waddle, who likely will not play due to injury.
The Dolphins ran out of receivers in their preseason opener against the Falcons but expect more able bodies this time around, including Braxton Berrios and River Cracraft — who are likely making the 53-man roster.
Can Malik Washington do enough Saturday to lock down that WR6 spot? Is this Erik Ezukanma’s last stand? Can one of the other backups breakthrough? This, for no other reason, is motivation to care about the second half of Sunday’s game.
Will the Offensive Line Get it Sorted?
With Armstead and Brewer not expected to play, opportunity will knock for a bunch of backups.
Watch for the Kendall Lamm vs. Patrick Paul battle at OT3. Paul moved up a line on the depth chart with a strong preseason debut and the injury to Kion Smith.
But it would be an even bigger leap to overtake Lamm, who played the fourth-most snaps in 2023 (613) of any Miami lineman.
As for the interior, Liam Eichenberg is expected to start at center, with Robert Jones and Lester Cotton at the guard spots.
The Commanders’ defensive interior defensive line manhandled this trio in the joint practice. Can they respond?
Mike White vs. Skylar Thompson (Take 2)
Perhaps the biggest beneficiaries of McDaniel’s decision to play some starters this week are his backup quarterbacks.
Mike White and Skylar Thompson had some truly ugly stats in the Falcons game, but they were also largely surrounded by players who won’t be on an NFL roster this year. That shouldn’t have been the case Saturday.
The quest for QB2 is also likely a battle for a roster spot, with the loser presumably headed to the practice squad.
“We allow the players to tell us who two and who three are, just like at every other position, because I see better than I hear,” McDaniel said of the competition Thursday.
Can Rookies Keep Rocking?
As many as seven rookies could make the Dolphins’ first 53-man roster, and the best of those that don’t will be prime candidates to make the practice squad.
Paul, Washington, running back Jaylen Wright, and safety Patrick McMorris look to build on a solid debut.
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And they’ll be joined by first-round pick Chop Robinson, who is expected to play after missing the Falcons game.
“I just try not to overthink it,” Robinson said. “Just go out there, play football, have fun. At the end of the day, it’s just football, so just go out there, listen to my coaches. I know the playbook, so I just go out there and play.”