Dolphins lose preseason finale to Jaguars as teams suspend game late after scary injury
The Dolphins played their offensive and defensive starters briefly in their preseason finale against the Jaguars, a 31-18 loss in Jacksonville on Saturday night.
But football was an afterthought late in the game. The teams agreed to suspend the game with 8:32 remaining after a scary moment in which rookie wide receiver Daewood Davis took a hit that left him motionless for several minutes and required him to be taken off the field on a spine board and cart.
Shortly after the game ended, the Dolphins announced Davis was conscious and had movement in all extremities. He was taken to Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville for further evaluation.
“The two teams agreed that football shouldn’t be played anymore tonight,” Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said. “Without a shadow of a doubt, I know that was the right call. So, I’m proud of the collective group for doing the right thing. Our guys are hurting but relieved.”
In the final tune-up before the 2023 season kicks off against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sept. 10, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa played two drives, completing 4 of 6 passes for 67 yards. He led a scoring drive that ended with a 24-yard field goal by kicker Jason Sanders on the second possession. The first drive began well, with a 32-yard catch-and-run by wide receiver Tyreek Hill on the first play from scrimmage. But the Dolphins lost 25 yards on the next play after an errant snap from center Connor Williams and punted three plays later.
The majority of the Dolphins’ starting defense played the first two drives against quarterback Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars’ starting offense, which was also on the field for two possessions. With starting defensive linemen Christian Wilkins and Zach Sieler sidelined, along with Da’Shawn Hand, it was an opportunity for young players such as Brandon Pili, Jalen Twyman and Josiah Bronson to stake their claim for a spot on the 53-man roster.
However, the defense struggled without its top linemen up front, ceding substantial gains on the ground. Jacksonville drove 76 yards down to Miami’s 6-yard line on its first possession before safety Jevon Holland stripped running back Tank Bigsby and recovered the ball to halt the drive. But the Jaguars scored on the ensuing possession, a 12-play, 80-yard drive that ended with a 3-yard touchdown run by Travis Etienne.
Jacksonville totaled 413 yards of offense and 130 rushing yards, averaging 5 yards per carry.
Quarterback Skylar Thompson entered the game for Tagovailoa but threw a pair of interceptions on consecutive throws that led to 10 points for the Jaguars. The second-year player bounced back, though, leading three scoring drives. Thompson finished 15 of 24 for 135 yards and two interceptions; he also ran three times for 18 yards. Undrafted rookie James Blackmon entered the game for Thompson in the fourth quarter.
The Dolphins trailed 17-6 at halftime and the deficit increased early in the third quarter after rookie cornerback Cam Smith was beaten by wide receiver Tim Jones on a double move for a 74-yard touchdown on the second play of the half. Jacksonville led by as many as 19 late in the second half.
Undrafted rookie running back Chris Brooks continued his strong case for a spot on the Dolphins’ 53-man roster, scoring twice in the second half and totaling 34 yards from scrimmage.
Competition at multiple spots continued to play out in the finale. Isaiah Wynn started at left guard. Liam Eichenberg, who opened training camp as the favorite to start at left guard and started the preseason opener, did not play Saturday night. He was not one of the dozen-plus players announced as not expected to see the field before the game kicked off.
At safety, DeShon Elliott and Verone McKinley III played well into the second half as the Dolphins continued to look for a starter to pair with Holland.
In addition to Davis, safety Elijah Campbell was carted to the locker room after sustaining an apparent leg injury in the second quarter. And running back Salvon Ahmed left the game later in the second quarter after taking a hit around his neck. He entered the blue medical tent and did not re-enter the game.
McDaniel said that Ahmed passed neurological tests but would undergo more tests on Sunday. The team would also know more about Campbell on Sunday, McDaniel said. Campbell was seen leaving the stadium on crutches.
The following also did not play in the preseason finale: cornerbacks Jalen Ramsey, Nik Needham and Justin Bethel; wide receivers Jaylen Waddle and Braylon Sanders; running backs Jeff Wilson Jr. and De’Von Achane; offensive linemen Terron Armstead and Robert Jones; quarterback Mike White; safety Brandon Jones; and tight end Eric Saubert.
This story was originally published August 26, 2023 at 9:56 PM.
