Reid Sinnett, Chris Myarick provide late-game heroics in Dolphins’ 29-26 preseason finale win over Bengals
A handful of starters, including quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, watched from the sideline in white T-shirts and shorts as the Dolphins’ second and third team played out the final preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
And the group, along with everyone else on the sideline, erupted — mobbing tight end Chris Myarick after he reeled in a 34-yard, go-ahead touchdown from third-stringer Reid Sinnett to give the Dolphins a 29-26 win at Paul Brown Stadium on Sunday.
In the team’s final game before the season opener against the New England Patriots in two weeks, Dolphins coach Brian Flores rested all but one of his presumed starters. Solomon Kindley, expected to start at left guard, lined up with a group of reserve offensive linemen to begin the game before subbing out after a few drives.
Despite the number of high-profile names sitting out, the Dolphins B and C team provided late-game theatrics for what is usually a mundane preseason finale, rallying from a 12-point deficit in the fourth quarter.
“It was great. I think this game did mean a lot for those [starters],” said Myarick, whose sole catch was the decisive score. “They were supporting this team. We’ve been through a long camp all together. I think it was good for them to watch and show us support. It was a great feeling.”
Facing fourth-and-15 from the Bengals 34 with 1:32 left in the game, Sinnett, who got the start, evaded the pressure from a pocket that broke down, spinning out of a sack and drifting to his right. He then lofted a pass to the right side of the end zone — with Myarick and wide receiver Kirk Merritt in the vicinity — while taking a hit from a Bengals defender.
“I got knocked down — I didn’t see the ball get caught,” said Sinnett, who played the entirety of the game. “I got the wind knocked out of me and I’m sitting there expecting the game to be over, and I heard our guys start cheering.”
Myarick rose up for the ball and taking in contact from the traffic in the area, was able to get his left leg and right knee down for the game-winning score. Sinnett completed a 2-point conversion attempt with a completion to wide receiver Malcolm Perry (four catches, 69 yards) to give the Dolphins a three-point lead with 1:21 left.
“It seemed to be in slow motion,” Myarick said. “Like I said, I just followed my rules on a broken play and he gave me a shot and I was able to come down with it.”
Cornerback Noah Igbinoghene recorded the game-sealing pass breakup on fourth down on the ensuing drive with 15 seconds remaining.
Sinnett completed 22 of 33 passes for 343 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. His 343 passing yards are the most any NFL quarterback has had in a preseason game since at least the 2017 season.
Merritt, who went from roster longshot to intriguing bubble player through training camp, stamped his roster case with a 44-yard touchdown to bring the Dolphins’ fourth-quarter deficit to five, 26-21, with 5:57 left in the game. The 2020 undrafted free agent finished with three catches for 72 yards and the score, his second straight game with a touchdown catch.
Seventh-round pick and former Cincinnati Bearcat Gerrid Doaks, playing just five miles south of his alma mater and 90 minutes from his hometown of Indianapolis, was the lead back, rushing for 56 yards and a pair of short scores in the first half.
Sunday’s game wasn’t just an opportunity for bubble players and longshots to showcase their talents ahead of the 4 p.m. Tuesday deadline to trim the roster to 53 players. Jaelan Phillips, the No. 18 overall pick, started at outside linebacker and played throughout the first half. He finished with one quarterback hit.
While Dolphins coach Brian Flores opted to rest the majority of his starters, Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow made his first appearance in the preseason — his first game action since sustaining a torn ACL in Week 11 last season. His highly-anticipated return to the field lasted just one drive, a three-and-out.
In the next 48 hours, Flores and his coaching staff will trim the roster from 80 players to the 53 that the team will take as it prepares for Week 1 of the NFL season, which begins for the Dolphins with a trip to Foxborough on Sept. 12.
“I think there’s a lot of things that I like,” Flores said. “We got a good group that works hard and has good camaraderie. They have fun playing together. Hopefully, people who watch us can see that. ... There are some hard decisions we’re going to have to make coming up these next couple days.”
This story was originally published August 29, 2021 at 7:13 PM.
