With a preseason opener against the Washington Commanders set for Friday, the Miami Dolphins are entering that familiar August balancing act: how much of the roster should actually see the field, and how much should be saved for the work ahead?
Head coach Jeff Hafley didn’t hand out a clean answer when he met the media before practice Monday. Instead, he pointed to the joint practice in Ashburn, Virginia, as the key event in the week.
"Everybody who is on our team right now needs to be ready to play," Hafley said. "That's how I see it.
What I'd like to see is how many reps a guy gets in the Washington practice, right? And who comes out of the Washington practice healthy.
The Washington practice is really important to me."
That’s where the real evaluation may happen. Hafley said the joint workout offers a better look at individual players than the game itself, especially when both sides are controlling the flow and the situations.
"I think it's a really good time with where we're at in the competition, not really to evaluate the team, but to evaluate the individuals," Hafley said. "Now, I think you always want to evaluate everything, so I say that loosely, but I think it's an important time to go against a different color jersey, different stimulus, change of environment, I think that's a really, really good opportunity to see where some of our guys are at .
I want to maximize the reps in that practice. So for example, if a player were to get 40 plus reps in practice, which might be a little bit high with only a day in between, how much can I really play him?"
Hafley said he likely won’t settle on which front-line players will suit up until Wednesday night, after his final pregame media availability. So for now, the guessing game continues.
At this point, Malik Willis looks like a strong candidate to see the field, perhaps for a series or two. The Packers used Jordan Love as their starter in last year’s preseason opener when Hafley was the defensive coordinator, and that gives a useful point of reference.
If Willis goes, players such as De'Von Achane and Aaron Brewer could also get some work, health permitting.
"I'd like for everybody to be available to play and then if I have to pull certain guys or dial down certain guys based on the reps that they got in that Washington practice, then we'll do so," Hafley said. "Make sense?"
The Dolphins will, however, stay away from players who are dealing with injuries or just coming back from them.
That group includes rookie wide receiver Kevin Coleman Jr., offensive lineman Jamaree Salyer, tight end Ben Sims, edge defender Clelin Ferrell, cornerback JuJu Brents, safety Dante Trader Jr. and kicker Zane Gonzalez.
Safety Lonnie Johnson Jr. returned to practice Monday, while tight end Greg Dulcich dropped the red no-contact jersey and would be in line to play if they make it through practice.
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