5 things to watch the Miami Dolphins Preseason Game 2

After finishing their first preseason game with a sloppy victory over the Atlanta Falcons (20-13), the Miami Dolphins are still making adjustments to their roster while suffering injuries during that game and in practice, and having notable players – like Jaelan Phillips – return from injury. Positional battles still remain, and star players who didn’t play a week ago, could be in play for a number of reps against the Washington Commanders this Saturday at Hard Rock Stadium.

Here are 5 things fan should look forward to seeing in Preseason Game 2:

1. Is it Tua Time?

Starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa didn’t play in the first game, but there is a good chance he may show his face in the second game. Based on his history with Mike McDaniel, Tagovailoa has played in the second preseason game each of the last two years. And after signing a significant extension to become one of the highest-paid quarterbacks in the league and the face of the Miami Dolphins franchise, fans will be eager to see their quarterback step on the field.

Tagovailoa has lost weight by cutting out sugar from his diet in the hopes that this will make him more mobile to extend plays, avoid sacks, and scramble for positive yardage. Saturday will be Dolphins final home game of the preseason, and their last chance to show off their franchise quarterback to the home crowd before the regular season begins.

2. Battle of the Backups – QB’s

Neither Mike White nor Skylar Thompson have looked particularly impressive throughout camp, and that showed in the Fins preseason opener last Friday.

Reports are that the two passers who are battling for the number two quarterback spot are “neck and neck” in the competition. Each of them have had their moments in camp, but not enough to flash or demonstrate any consistency. Thompson appears that he has grown since last year’s camp, while White is still seen as the wise veteran, but hasn’t established any dominant footing to claim the job.

Last Friday, Thompson through a bad interception while under pressure, but rebounded and ended the half strongly by engineering some scoring drives and a touchdown pass. White nearly had a bad interception himself, and could only muster one drive for a field goal.

Thompson started in the opener; lets see if McDaniel puts White in ahead of Thompson in this one.

3. Who will emerge as team’s 3rd receiver?

This is one of the closest battles in camp. If I had to pick who the Dolphins 3rd best wide receiver in camp—I’d probably pick River Cracraft. He’s experienced, been on the team since McDaniel took over, good run blocker and route runner, comes through when his name is called upon…

But there are too many other receivers in the mix. Braxton Berrios described the competition as “neck and neck”.

Odell Beckham Jr. is still on the PUP and McDaniel says he’s not even day to day, he’s “week to week”. So don’t expect OBJ to be suited up for Saturday. But if he’s healthy, most expect he would be the Number  3.

Berrios is a scrappy player that the Dolphins like, but it seems they are looking for something more.

Malik Washington is a rookie, coming along, versatile, having his moments in practice, but not flashing enough to overtake either Cracraft or Berrios.

Erik Ezukanma  who was struggling to learn the playbook his rookie year in 2022, then suffered a neck injury in 2023,  returned to practice this week. He’s an intriguing prospect, but Dolphins need to see if he can put it all together.

Willie Snead is a name, but not one that inspires hope due to his last few years of limited production in the league. He’s had a lot of drops since coming to Miami.

Other players in the mix are Braylon Sanders, Anthony Schwartz, Je’Quan Burton, Kyric McGowan, and Mike Harley Jr.

4. What will the offensive line look like?

With so many injuries lately to the offensive line, one wonders what it will look like on Saturday.

We know who the projected starters are for 2024: Terron Armstead, Isaiah Wynn, Aaron Brewer, Robert Jones, and Austin Jackson.

But the Dolphins would be hesitant to play Terron Armstead given his injury history, the fact that retirement is coming down the road, and that he is the staple left tackle until rookie Patrick Paul succeeds him.

Isaiah Wynn is still on the PUP, Aaron Brewer has a hand issue and could miss Week 1, and Kion Smith went on IR after tearing his ACL in last Friday’s matchup against the Falcons. The Dolphins pretty much know what they have in Austin Jackson and Robert Jones. So the Dolphins may avoid Jackson and Jones in order to avoid risking injury that seems to be befalling the line, as it always does. The Fins may add Liam Eichenberg to that list, seeing as they like his versatility, and Fins played him as backup center to Brewer following Brewer’s injury.

This leaves 2nd-round rookie Patrick Paul to suit up and provide another strong showing at Hard Rock stadium. Other notable linemen to watch and evaluate for depth are Lester Cotton, Jack Driscoll, Ryan Hayes, Kendall Lamm, and Sean Harlow amongst others.

5. The Dolphins Backfield

The run game was the most effective offensive weapon for the Dolphins last week. The Dolphins racked up 144 yards on the ground compared to the Falcons 81. The Dolphins backfield is in line for more work on Saturday versus the Commanders.

Rookie 4th round selection Jaylen Wright put on a show versus the Falcons and demonstrated burst, power, and speed. After bobbling a pass, he took a broken play in the backfield, scrambled to the opposite side, and took off for a first down. In total, he had 10 carries for 55 yards, and a touchdown. Brooks had 12 carries for 40 yards, and Wilson didn’t do much on the ground but was tied for the receiver with the most catches that day with 3, one of them being a touchdown.

I doubt fans will see Raheem Mostert due to his age and him being the leader of this backfield or De’Von Achane. But Saturday will provide more glimpses of what Wright’s talent, and the depth the Dolphins have in their backfield.