The Miami Dolphins are preparing for their third and final preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Hard Rock Stadium this week. The game kicks off at 7 p.m. Saturday and will be broadcast on CBS4 in South Florida.
As training camp ends, teams from around the league are beginning to make roster moves to adhere to the NFL’s guidelines. This past Tuesday was the deadline for teams to lower the number of active players from 85 to 80 before cutting down to 53 after the final preseason game.
Miami did so by waiving three players, including former Killian and University of Miami safety Sheldrick Redwine. Additionally, punter Sterling Hofrichter and linebacker Deandre Johnson were released by the team.
Newly acquired cornerback Mackensie Alexander was unfortunately placed on the injured reserve list due to the groin injury he sustained against the Las Vegas Raiders last Saturday. He will miss the remainder of the season.
Fullback John Lovett was also the subject of a final roster move, with the Dolphins placing the undrafted third-year pro on injured reserve with an undisclosed injury.
Highlights of the Dolphin’s joint practices with the Eagles have made the rounds through social media after several viral plays made fans eager for the start of the regular season.
“I think we are all ready as a team,” Tua Tagovailoa told reporters when asked if he was ready for week one. “I think we’re ready… I would say we’re ready.”
If this week’s practices indicate how the Dolphins will match up against opponents during the regular season, Miami’s beloved football team has big things in store.
“The Eagles lost,” said Philadelphia beat reporter for 94WIP Eliot Shorr-Parks after the team’s first joint practice. “Dolphins definitely got the better of Eagles defense and Eagles offense was not impressive.”
Philadelphia finished last season with a tough wild-card loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 31-15. Much like Tagovailoa, quarterback Jalen Hurts is entering his third year, a pivotal one in which the franchise hopes to see significant growth in his production. The team went out and added wide receiver A.J. Brown via trade. The former Titans star will play alongside the 2021 first-round pick DeVonta Smith.
Apart from Hurts and his promising wide receiver pair, running back Miles Sanders will likely continue to be a focal point of Philly’s offense. In 2021, the Eagles led the NFL in rushing yards with 2,715 yards and Sanders was a big reason why finishing only behind Hurts in yards with 754.
Considering this is the last opportunity to get reps in a real game setting, Miami is expected to send out some of their starters for short stints. Wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle have yet to play with Tagovailoa in the preseason and this would be the final chance to see the trio before the games begin to count. On the defensive side, all-pro cornerback Xavien Howard could play in the final game after sitting out the first two preseason games as a precaution.
The Dolphin’s final open practice of training camp was canceled Thursday after reports of a stomach bug that reportedly affected several players. The team is expected to conduct a walk-through practice Friday as final preparation before the game Saturday.
