No decision on who starts vs. Texans but Dolphins’ Tagovailoa likely to play in preseason
While Houston Texans coach DeMeco Ryans announced on Thursday that rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud will start against the Dolphins in Saturday’s preseason game, it’s still unclear who will start for Miami.
Before practice, the Dolphins’ second with the Texans in Houston this week, coach Mike McDaniel said such decisions would not be made until after the conclusion of practice.
Starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa did not play in the team’s preseason opener at home against the Atlanta Falcons. Last year, he made his preseason debut in the second exhibition matchup. McDaniel said it is likely Tagovailoa sees the field at some point in the preseason.
“I would expect to see him in the preseason,” McDaniel said before adding a caveat. “However, you know me. I’m a wild card. I do think game reps are valuable depending on where you’re at in your journey for preseason setting up the regular season. So I would expect him to play. How much and when, will be determined after today for this next preseason game and will probably be around the same time before Jacksonville as well.”
McDaniel’s thought process could be changed, though, after the team experienced an injury scare involving starting left tackle Terron Armstead. The veteran lineman was carted off from practice after appearing to injure his right leg on the first play of 11-on-11 drills. Armstead later posted a video on social of himself walking inside the Texans’ facility. The 32-year-old was not expected to play in the preseason. But McDaniel could again opt to sit many projected starters on Saturday.
Regardless, Skylar Thompson is expected to play before Mike White as both continue to compete for the backup quarterback spot. White played the first half of the Dolphins’ preseason opener, then Thompson played in the second half.
“I think I’ll be able to make some decisions this afternoon regarding who, what, where and why,” McDaniel said. “But case in point, what if two guys exceed expectations in the recovery process and they’re live action today? That changes things. What if we have the worst system of hydration known to man and 14 guys cramp? You have to be loose and versatile. I’ll expect to know more after this practice. With those two specifically, I will say that I expect to see them a little bit more today in today’s practice as the competition continues.”
Update on Jones
Dolphins fourth-year safety Brandon Jones hasn’t practiced in the past week, and during joint practices with the Texans, he has been seen working on the side.
McDaniel said Jones, who is making his return from a torn ACL he sustained last year, did not sustain a setback in his recovery.
“What happens often when guys are coming back is the stress that you put on your body, there can be a lingering bump or bruise,” he said. “Not serious, but something we’re trying to make sure doesn’t get worse, unrelated to his knee, not his knee, but just one of those things that we’ve kept our eye on Brandon, because, again, we protect people from themselves and he’s about as hard of a worker that exists on the team.”
Jones did not start training camp on the active/physically unable to perform list but has continued to wear a red, noncontact jersey in practice and his reps in team drills have been limited.
This and that
▪ Wide receiver Tyreek Hill is one of the most athletically gifted players in the NFL but has often mentioned the mental side of the game. Interestingly enough, he said he doesn’t watch much film nowadays.
“Believe this or not, I don’t watch no film,” he said. “I just know the game of football inside out. I’ve been playing this game since I was a kid, since I was like, 5, 6, and I grew up in a football household. Plus, my dad was a coach. So I know every defense. I know every defensive line, what they doing. I know everything. The safety is going to tell the story. I know all of it. And when I first came into the league, obviously, I was athletic. Obviously, I had the ability to make plays. But the next step is being able to recognize coverages, being able to understand the [defensive back’s] leverage and what certain releases you need to use. So I’ve been all about that and I’m getting the young guys on that too, though. Whether it’s [Jaylen] Waddle, whether it’s other guys in our room.”
▪ The Dolphins hosted veteran cornerback Bryce Callahan on a free agent visit, ESPN reported. Callahan, 31, spent the first seven years of his career alongside Miami defensive coordinator Vic Fangio with the Chicago Bears and then Denver Broncos. Most of Callahan’s experience is as a slot corner.
Who’s hot
▪ Jaelan Phillips. The third-year linebacker dominated as a pass rusher on the first day of joint practices and had another standout showing on Thursday, with multiple would-be sacks and pressures.
Who’s not
▪ Dolphins’ left tackle situation. Miami may have avoided a long-term injury with Armstead but, with less than one month until the start of the season, his availability for the season opener may be in question. Prior to Armstead’s injury, he told reporters that he was still working his way back into form after a small knee operation in the offseason.
Next practice
After the Dolphins’ preseason game against the Texans on Saturday, their next scheduled practice is back in Miami Gardens on Aug. 22 at 10:45 a.m. The session is not open to fans.
Quote of the day
“I just go get on Madden, I go to the EA rosters then I scroll down and see what their awareness is, their speed is and their strength, and that’s how I get a good tell on them” — Hill, jokingly, on how he scouts opposing defensive backs
This story was originally published August 17, 2023 at 4:07 PM.
