2024-08-18 13:40:04
The NFL preseason gets a little more real for the Miami Dolphins on Saturday night when they host the Washington Commanders at Hard Rock Stadium.
Unlike last week’s exhibition opener against the Atlanta Falcons, the Dolphins actually will trot out most of their starters vs. the Commanders. None of them played last week.
More:Miami Dolphins’ Tua Tagovailoa perfect on night owner Stephen Ross sets bar high | Habib
So, Miami fans will see Tua Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill, Raheem Mostert, Jalen Ramsey and even first-round draft pick, edge rusher Chop Robinson.
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Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel told reporters this week: “The idea, from a starting point, is that I want some starters to play in the game. To say exactly which individuals those are … we’ll make those assessments as a staff.” McDaniel added that the plan will be for known starters “to get some action.”
Of course, we still will not see Tua’s No. 2 and 3 receivers, Jaylen Waddle and newcomer Odell Beckham Jr., who are injured. Some have started to express concern about Beckham, who signed for $3 million and has yet to see even the practice field this summer.
How long the starters play is anyone’s guess but figure on 2 or 3 series in the first half – and then you will get to watch the players who are trying to make the final roster or put something down on film for other teams to see once cuts begin.
The movement to cut down the preseason schedule and add an 18th regular-season game continues and these late August exhibitions remain Exhibit A.
Sanders pushes the kick wide right after Mike White, now at QB for the Dolphins, moved Miami into Washington territory.
Sanders’ 33-yard field goal gave Miami a 13-6 lead early in the third quarter. Chris Brooks’ 59-yard run set up the score. However, Brooks was shaken up on a helmet-to-helmet hit and left the game.
Do the Commanders have a kicker they can trust? Patterson is 2-for-5 on the preseason. Dolphins lead 10-6 at halftime.
Ross told CBS that his starting QB “looked good.” He also said it was important to lock up the team’s young stars such as Tua and Jaylen Waddle. “You want to retain as many of your draft choices that really pan out,” Ross said. “And that’s a challenge in these times.”
The kick capped a 9-play, 46-yard drive, engineered by Thompson. Braxton Berrios dropped a TD pass on third down.
It did not take long for Miami to start inserting the second-team offense, including the offensive line, with barely five minutes elapsed in the second quarter.
Patterson missed a 43-yarder so Miami continues to lead by 4. Jeff Driskell replaced Daniels at quarterback and promptly ripped off a 41-yard run on his first play.
Daniels led Washington on another drive (9 plays, 52 yards) with mostly short passes but was hampered by several penalties.
Tagovailoa’s 13-yard touchdown pass to River Cracraft – on a fourth-and-one – opened the scoring. Tua started, completed all five passes (for 51 yards) and led Miami on the scoring drive, including another fourth-and-1 conversion on a Raheem Mostert run. New tight end Jonnu Smith caught a pass and made a nice gain on a run.
The second overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft and former LSU quarterback started and led Washington to a couple of first downs with mostly short passes. The drive stalled at the Miami 31 and Riley Patterson pulled his 49-yard field goal to the left.
More:Tua Tagovailoa in uniform for Miami Dolphins tonight; see who is not
Dolphins fans will see Tua Tagovailoa and most of the starters tonight. How long they play is anyone’s guess. Some starters will see more action than others.
Rookie running back Jaylen Wright, one of the stars of the preseason-opening win against the Falcons, will not be playing.
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