The Miami Dolphins get their second preseason shot Saturday afternoon, and the setting is Hard Rock Stadium at 4 p.m. ET against the New York Giants.
But the game itself is only part of the story. The joint practice between these teams was, by any honest reading, chippy and not reassuring for Miami, and it left behind a long list of questions that now follow both sides into the matchup.
One of the biggest concerns starts up front. Miami’s first-team offensive line handled Washington better last week than it did the Giants during joint work, where all five projected starters made physical mistakes.
Austin Jackson added an emotional layer to the mess, getting pulled from one offensive set after throwing an open-handed punch. Pass protection dropped off sharply, the run game took its hits too, and even with De'Von Achane in the backfield, the unit had trouble when New York brought pressure and blitzes.
That was hardly a surprise given the pass rush Miami was facing. Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux and Abdul Carter headline what is expected to be a sensational Giants front, and eight sacks allowed in that setting did not happen by accident.
The starters weren’t the only group under the microscope, either. The reserves were pushed around against Washington, with Quinn Ewers and Cam Miller spending far less time in the pocket, and both of Miller’s interceptions were helped by the pass rush.
Another uneven showing would only sharpen the concern.
The Dolphins also have to sort out how they handle New York’s backfield. Miami’s early physicality against Washington in the run game stood out to Jeff Hafley, but the Giants bring a deeper list of runners into this one: Cam Skattebo, Tyrone Tracy Jr., Devin Singletary, and their newest addition.
On August 18, the Giants signed Najee Harris, the veteran back entering his sixth NFL season. The belief is that he was brought in to be more than a depth option, and if that’s true, this could be the first look at what he adds to the offense.
For Miami, the goal is simple: hold the line for 60 minutes and keep the big play out of the picture.
There’s also a lot happening in the middle of the defense. Jordyn Brooks is still dealing with an undisclosed injury, Tyrel Dodson raised concern after finishing the joint practice without pads or a helmet, and Kyle Louis is continuing to get work at safety.
That combination leaves the Dolphins trying to piece together linebacker depth in real time. In response, Miami signed Stephen Dix Jr., an undrafted free agent out of Arkansas who could work his way onto the practice squad if he shows enough to the staff.
Jacob Rodriguez was one of the brighter notes from the joint practice. His interception of Jaxon Dart capped a heavier workload at a time when injuries and uncertainty are pressing on the linebacker room.
At quarterback, the pressure is no lighter. Willis looked good against the Commanders, but the way the backups unraveled from the second drive onward took away much of the confidence he had built.
Miami needs something cleaner against the Giants to prove it isn’t in trouble if Willis goes down, even if that’s easier said than done. With Quinn Ewers sidelined by a groin injury, Cam Miller has a real opening to show the coaches he belongs on the 53-man roster instead of trying to slip through waivers and return to the practice squad.
And then there’s the part Miami can’t afford to repeat: the fighting. The Dolphins and Giants lost control during joint practice, with veterans, rookies and even players on the sidelines getting pulled into the action.
That already looked bad once. Doing it again in a preseason game would only invite more scrutiny, not to mention the risk of injuries, fines and suspensions.
For a coaching staff, that kind of chaos is bad enough in the regular season. In August, it’s unacceptable.
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