Tagovailoa plays two drives in Dolphins’ second preseason game, but Tyreek Hill sits out
The Miami Dolphins finally gave a first real glimpse at what they might look like this season Saturday. Tua Tagovailoa and nearly every starter was in the lineup for the Dolphins’ second preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders in Miami Gardens.
Tyreek Hill, however, was a late scratch after the Dolphins initially didn’t include him on their list of players not expected to play. Hill took part in warm-ups, but came out of the tunnel in shorts and without any pads beneath his jersey.
Even without Hill, Tagovailoa’s two drives were encouraging. The quarterback went 6 of 8 for 58 yards and didn’t take a single sack.
Including Hill, Miami had 10 players not expected to play Saturday in the penultimate game of the preseason. Last Saturday, the Dolphins held out 15 starters for their first game of the preseason against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but coach Mike McDaniel said last week he’d be “surprised” if Tagovailoa didn’t play at some point in one of Miami’s three preseason games.
On Wednesday, Tagovailoa said he was hoping to play this weekend.
“Man, I always want to play I’m going to be honest,” the 24-year-old said. “I wanted to play last week too, at least a couple of snaps, but Mike decided that then wasn’t the time. Hopefully, he gives the first offense an opportunity to go out there, hopefully get some plays in, understand some situations, knowing how to manage the game and get back into the groove of things in that sense.”
In the penultimate game of the preseason, Tagovailoa got to run McDaniel’s offense for the first time in a competitive setting and he had most of his starting lineup around him, although neither of his top two wide receivers suited up.
In addition to Tagovailoa, offensive lineman Connor Williams and running back Chase Edmonds played after sitting out last week.
On defense, defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah, defensive lineman Christian Wilkins, safety Jevon Holland, and linebackers Elandon Roberts and Jerome Baker suited up after sitting out last weekend.
Only five players listed as a starter on Miami’s depth chart were not expected to play: Hill, star cornerback Xavien Howard, wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, tackle Terron Armstead and fullback Alec Ingold. Waddle has not practiced since Aug. 11 during the Dolphins’ joint practices with the Buccaneers in Tampa and McDaniel said Wednesday the team is being cautious with the wideout as he recovers from an unspecified injury.
Miami expects Waddle to practice again before the start of the regular season.
In total, the Dolphins had 10 players not expected to play Saturday: Howard, Waddle, Armstead, Ingold, fullback John Lovett, tight end Tanner Conner, tackle Greg Little, linebacker Brennan Scarlett and safety Eric Rowe.
Dolphins take caution at cornerback
A two-time All-Pro, Howard was the the most high-profile defensive player not suited up for Miami on Saturday and it makes sense: The Dolphins are extremely thin at cornerback with Byron Jones physically unable to perform (PUP) with a lower-leg injury, and fellow cornerbacks Trill Williams and Tino Ellis both going down with injuries last Saturday.
Miami signed cornerback Mackensie Alexander on Monday to add depth at the position. Cornerbacks Nik Needham and Noah Igbinoghene started, with Howard and Jones out, and struggled early. The Raiders scored on their opening drive after twice converting with passes on third downs, and once on fourth down.
This and that
▪ Although he remains on the PUP list, Jones stood on the Dolphins’ sideline Saturday, wearing a sleeve on his left leg. Miami has not specified an injury for the defensive back, who will likely start opposite Howard once he’s healthy.
▪ Four of the Dolphins’ five starters on the offensive line suited up Saturday. Tackle Larnel Coleman filled the last spot, slotting in for Armstead at left tackle.
▪ Las Vegas held out several starters Saturday, including star wide receiver Davante Adams, quarterback Derek Carr, and defensive ends Chandler Jones and Maxx Crosby. The Raiders left roughly 30 players back home in Vegas.
This story was originally published August 20, 2022 at 5:35 PM.
