Two NFL linebackers who have collectively started 100 NFL games were found on the field late in the second quarter of a preseason game with a Miami Dolphins defensive that was filled with NFL journeymen, and unproven rookies.
Tyrel Dodson, last year’s starting inside linebacker, and Willie Gay Jr, who has started 57 games in his NFL season, were the primary inside linebackers on the field when Washington scored 17 second-quarter points in Friday night’s Commanders win.
Dodson, who contributed 129 tackles, five sacks, intercepted one pass and forced one fumble last season, is in a heated battle with Jacob Rodriguez, Miami’s 2026 second-round pick, to determine who will be the starting linebacker paired with Jordyn Brooks on Miami’s first team defense.
During Friday night’s game he barrelled over Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota with a physical hit on a completion that knocked the veteran backup out the game with an undisclosed injury.
Gay, who finished the game with four tackles while only playing in the first half, is listed as rookie Trey Moore’s top backup for Miami’s strong side linebacker role. However, he’s been one of camp’s top playmakers for the last two training camps when he did work, which hasn’t been much this week.
Coincidentally, Gay had been working with the third-team defense for most of training camp before being inserted into the starting lineup Friday night.
Are the Dolphins giving both veterans an on-field audition for a 53-man roster spot, and/or possibly other NFL teams?
It’s hard to envision a team trading for either now unless they need to add a veteran starter with a manageable contract, which each linebacker has.
If released, neither veteran would be subjected to the waiver wire, which means they’d have the opportunity to select their next employer.
It should be pointed out that Miami had Moore play well into the third quarter, working primarily as an off-ball linebacker, which is something he didn’t do much of his collegiate career.
Ewers continues his struggles
Quarterback Quinn Ewers’ second year struggles continued Friday night, leaking into the preseason opener against the Commanders.
Ewers, a former Texas standout started three games as a rookie for the Dolphins last year, completed 1-of-8 passes, producing 27 yards. He was intercepted once, and sacked once during his work, which ended after one series in the third quarter.
Ewers had been having a rough training camp until this week, where his performance seemingly stabilized. But how he played Friday night might have been his worst performance of the past three weeks.
At this time the Dolphins only have one other option as Malik Willis backup and that’s Cam Miller, a quarterback Miami claimed off the waiver wire late last season. Problem is, he hadn’t been very impressive in training camp either.
Rookie Cornerback Works
Chris Johnson, the cornerback Miami selected at the end of the first round of the 2026 draft, played the entire first half of Friday night’s game.
His presence on the field was a bit of a surprise because Johnson was held out of Wednesday’s joint practice against the Commanders.
Johnson, whom the Dolphins hope to develop into the team’s starting nickel cornerback, finished the game with two tackles and one pass deflection, which was made on an interception he failed to bring in while defending a pass in the end zone…..
Cornerback Marco Wilson, who joined Miami as a free agent this offseason, pulled down an interception on quarterback Sam Hartman’s pass in the first half. It was the only turnover the Dolphins defense created.
