{"id":369954,"date":"2026-08-13T02:22:18","date_gmt":"2026-08-13T02:22:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/369954\/"},"modified":"2026-08-13T02:22:18","modified_gmt":"2026-08-13T02:22:18","slug":"dolphins-commanders-joint-practice-report-stock-up-down","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/369954\/","title":{"rendered":"Dolphins-Commanders joint practice report; stock up, down"},"content":{"rendered":"

ASHBURN, Va. \u2014 The Miami Dolphins<\/a> finally squared off against another team ahead of the 2026 season, and it was a struggle.<\/p>\n

The Washington Commanders won the day on both offense and defense at their training facility on Wednesday.<\/p>\n

Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels mostly had his way with a decimated Dolphins secondary, down cornerbacks Chris Johnson and JuJu Brents and safety Dante Trader Jr.<\/p>\n

The Miami offense struggled to gain first downs, got beat up front in pass protection, and quarterback Malik Willis was forced to use his legs a lot as the pocket crumbled and receivers didn\u2019t create separation.<\/p>\n

\u201cSome things we definitely got to clean up, but that\u2019s what we expect Day 1 of joint practice,\u201d linebacker Jordyn Brooks said.<\/p>\n

What Dolphins players were pleased with was the physicality they played with.<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought we brought that, physical mindset,\u201d Brooks said, as the teams were thudding against the run instead of tackling to the ground.<\/p>\n

Added right tackle Austin Jackson: \u201cDefinitely physical. I don\u2019t think that aspect was lacking. Physicality was there, but we got to work on the execution.\u201d<\/p>\n

The joint practice setting finally offered first-year coach Jeff Hafley an opportunity to gauge his team against someone other than his own players.<\/p>\n

\u201cI want to take the next step,\u201d Hafley said ahead of drills. \u201cI just want them to be themselves and play football and be able to execute.\u201d<\/p>\n

The teams did 7-on-7 drills Wednesday, which the Dolphins had not practiced in the intrasquad setting. Those occurred in the red zone before the teams went to a series of 11-on-11 periods, which included a late-game scenario to wrap up the day\u2019s work.<\/p>\n

Along with Johnson, Trader and Brents, the Dolphins defense was missing defensive tackle Zach Sieler, who will be week to week<\/a>, Hafley revealed ahead of the day\u2019s drills. Safety Lonnie Johnson Jr. was back in the lineup.<\/p>\n

The Dolphins and Commanders didn\u2019t get involved in any big scuffle, something often seen in the joint setting.<\/a> The closest thing to it was defensive tackle Jordan Phillips having to be separated from a Washington lineman, possibly tackle Josh Conerly Jr. Phillips called it part of playing a physical game.<\/p>\n

Secretary of state Marco Rubio, a Miami native, was in attendance to check out his Dolphins near Washington, D.C.<\/p>\n

\"U.S.U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, left, shakes hands with Dolphins coach Jeff Hafley, right, before a joint practice between the Washington Commanders and the Dolphins on Wednesday in Ashburn, Va. (AP Photo\/Nick Wass)<\/p>\n

Here are highlights and observations from the Dolphins\u2019 joint practice with the Commanders in Virginia on Wednesday:<\/p>\n

\u2014 Willis thew a pick-six when CB Mike Sainristil stepped in front of a pass intended for WR Malik Washington on the near sideline. Sainristil punted the ball in celebration of his accomplishment. It seemed like Willis threw the ball where it had to be, but Washington didn\u2019t come back to the spot.<\/p>\n

\u2014 S Michael Taaffe<\/a> had a big pass breakup in the back of the end zone as time expired in a late-game scenario. It was a busy day for Taaffe, who continues to learn on the job with Trader sidelined. He bounced back after some hiccups in coverage earlier.<\/p>\n

\u2014 The Miami first-team offense then got a shot from the Commanders\u2019 25-yard line. The group got backed up by penalty after initially advancing into the red zone, and defensive end Charles Omenihu sacked Willis, which ran the final seconds off.<\/p>\n

\u2014 WR Treylon Burks beat S Zayne Anderson and Taaffe for a 70-yd TD from Daniels. The secondary needs Trader and CBs Brents and Johnson, who are all sidelined.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Daniels picked the Dolphins defense apart. Washington WR Terry McLaurin had a sideline reception on the side of the field defended by CB Jason Marshall Jr., Anderson and Taaffe were nearby as the play ended. Granted, McLaurin is a Pro Bowl WR. But Marshall has been inconsistent so far in training camp.<\/p>\n

\u2014 There were instances of pressure from the Miami front, and that was mainly when the defense could contain Daniels\u2019 aerial attack. Chop Robinson had another decent day rushing the passer.<\/p>\n

\u2014 TE Chig Okonkwo got past CB Miles Battle and S Major Burns for a nice gain up the seam.<\/p>\n

\u2014 LB Jordyn Brooks was all around the ball with three tackles in the late two-minute drill. Brooks, the All-Pro who led the league with 183 tackles last season, is having a good training camp, a positive sign following his three-year, $48 million contract extension.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Rookie LB Jacob Rodriguez continues to have a strong camp. He made plays in the run game.<\/p>\n

\u2014 In Dolphins OL vs. Commanders DL 1 on 1s, Washington won. LT Patrick Paul was beaten by OLB Odafe Oweb, LG Kadyn Proctor was beaten by a swim move by DT Javon Kinlaw, C Aaron Brewer had a draw with a DT, RT Austin Jackson was beaten by OLB K\u2019Lavon Chaisson.<\/p>\n

\u2014 In a second round of Dolphins OL vs. Commanders DL G D.J. Campbell did well vs. DT Jeffrey M\u2019Ba, DE Drake Jackson got around OT Caedan Wallace, OT Marques Cox did well vs. DE T.J. Maguranvanga.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Dolphins DL Zeek Biggers lured a Washington OL into a false start early in 11 on 11. It\u2019s a subtle way that Biggers, a pass rusher and run stopper when he plays inside, and edge-setter vs. the run when he plays outside, is impacting the game.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Willis missed WR Jalen Tolbert on a throw near the goal line in 11 on 11. S Jeremy Reaves was the closest defender. The Willis-Tolbert connection remains a work in progress.<\/p>\n

\u2014 RB De\u2019Von Achane was stuffed on some inside runs as the offensive line couldn\u2019t move the line of scrimmage. Achane later caught a short third-down touchdown over the middle in the red-zone team period.<\/p>\n

\u2014 OL Caedan Wallace gave up a sack to DT Jer\u2019Zhan Newton against QB Cam Miller.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Willis had a six-yard gain on a run left as he continues to slowly unveil his run game.<\/p>\n

\u2014 CBs Marshall and Marco Wilson started with the defense alongside Taaffe and LBs Tyrel Dodson and Trey Moore. Hafley continues experimenting with personnel packages. And remember, Johnson wasn\u2019t practicing for an unknown reason.<\/p>\n

\u2014 WR Caleb Douglas drew a pass interference call after a third down pass fell incomplete. Douglas, who is speedy, lanky and athletic at 6 foot 4, 205 pounds, can be tough to defend. He frequently gets good separation.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Willis had a well-thrown completion over the middle to Douglas. Douglas continues to put together a nice stretch of practices.<\/p>\n

\u2014 CB Ethan Bonner had a pass break up on a long throw to WR Dyami Brown. Bonner hasn\u2019t yet shown he deserves to be a starter but he\u2019ll almost certainly be on the 53-man regular-season roster.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Marshall Jr. is beaten by WR Van Jefferson on a crossing pass from Daniels. Jefferson and Marshall are both Florida Gators, by the way.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Washington TE Lawrence Cager, who played at the University of Miami (2015-18) before finishing at Georgia, had a nice reception from backup QB Marcus Mariota.<\/p>\n

\u2014 LB Kyle Louis had a nice stop on a run play. That\u2019s significant because Louis\u2019 main contribution early in his rookie season might be as a \u201cbig nickel,\u201d or the LB who defends the slot TE. Perhaps Louis is expanding his game already.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Willis, in 11 on 11, had a 15-yard completion to Douglas, who went down low to make the grab, then scrambled for seven yards on the next play before absorbing a sack from OLB Odafe Oweh. In a play later in the series, Willis later evaded pressure by using his feet before hitting FB D.J. Herman on a short pass.<\/p>\n

\u2014 DL Matthew Butler continues working as an \u201cup back,\u201d the blocker in front of the KOR. C Andrew Meyer and DL Biggers have also auditioned for that role.<\/p>\n

\u2014 RB Jaylen Wright and WR Jalen Reagor continue working as KOR. Washington currently holds that role.<\/p>\n

\u2014 CB A.J. Green III had a PBU in 1 on 1s. Green, the fifth-year player who spent the past two seasons with the Los Angeles Rams and Minnesota, continues to flash. But Green, who has an interception in training camp, remains a longshot for the 53-man roster.<\/p>\n

\u2014 WRs Washington and Tolbert, projected starters, had TD receptions in 1-on-1 drills. Later, Douglas, the third projected starter, had a TD reception. That\u2019s a good sign for the growth of the WR corps.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Washington WR River Cracraft, the ex-Dolphin, had success vs. Miami\u2019s nickel DBs in 1-on-1 drills. Cracraft has receiving skills but is more known for his blocking.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Willis had his pass intended for Douglas broken up by Washington CB Fabian Moreau, who attended Western High School.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Willis came back to hit Washington for a TD.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Willis then hit WR AJ Henning for a TD, sparking a successful 1-on-1 drill for the Dolphins QB-WR combo over Washington\u2019s DBs.<\/p>\n

\u2014 WRs Theo Wease Jr. and Tolbert and TE Cole Turner all flashed strong receiving skills in 1-on-1 drills. All could be keys to the Dolphins\u2019 depth although it should be noted Tolbert is currently listed as a starter.<\/p>\n

\u2014 The weather was 80 degrees and cloudy with 71 percent humidity and a \u201cfeels-like\u201d temperature of 80 degrees. Compare that to Miami Gardens, where it\u2019s 89 degrees with 69 percent humidity and a \u201cfeels-like\u201d temperature of 94 degrees.<\/p>\n

Stock up: Caleb Douglas<\/p>\n

The rookie wideout continues to shine. His play in practice at Dolphins camp translated to facing an opponent, as he had the type of practice we\u2019ve come to know from him in the first joint practice setting he has seen.<\/p>\n

Stock down: Offensive line and secondary<\/p>\n

The line struggled to pass protect and had Willis scrambling all day. Plus, they were dominated in 1 on 1s. It\u2019s tough to single out anyone, but it\u2019s the whole group, outside of Brewer. The secondary got torched by Daniels all day, with a lot of receivers wide open, but good to see Taaffe respond and make the play at the end.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"ASHBURN, Va. \u2014 The Miami Dolphins finally squared off against another team ahead of the 2026 season, and…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":369955,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[114,123,1763,125,124,119,110],"class_list":["post-369954","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-miami","tag-latest-headlines","tag-miami","tag-miami-dolphins","tag-miami-headlines","tag-miami-news","tag-nfl","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/369954","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=369954"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/369954\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/369955"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=369954"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=369954"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=369954"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}