Bowers recently underwent a meniscus trim procedure after dealing with the knee issue, and his recovery has been viewed positively. Rather than risk aggravating the injury in Week 1, head coach Klint Kubiak is taking a cautious approach with one of the most important players on his offense. The Raiders would much rather have Bowers healthy for the long term than push him onto the field before he is ready.

His absence is still a significant blow, especially for Kirk Cousins. The veteran quarterback was chosen to lead Kubiak’s offense into the season, and Bowers was expected to be one of his most dangerous and reliable weapons. Without him against Miami, the Raiders will have to find other ways to generate production in the passing game while their offensive centerpiece continues his recovery.

When will Brock Bowers return from injury with Raiders?

The good news for the Raiders is that Brock Bowers’ recovery has been positive following the meniscus trim, which carries a considerably shorter recovery timeline than a more extensive meniscus repair. That has created optimism that his absence could be limited to the beginning of the season rather than becoming a long-term issue.

Bowers could potentially return next week when the Raiders travel to face the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 2. However, that should be viewed as a possibility rather than a guarantee, particularly because Kubiak has emphasized caution with his star tight end. The Raiders will likely want to see how Bowers responds physically before making a final decision about his availability.

For now, Las Vegas will have to begin the season without one of its biggest offensive weapons. Michael Mayer is expected to take on a larger role, but replacing what Bowers brings to the offense will be difficult. For Cousins and Kubiak, Week 1 against Miami will therefore be an early test of how effectively the Raiders can operate without their star tight end.

According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, the Dolphins released Gronowski from the practice squad. With Gronowski gone, Miami now has three quarterbacks on the 53-man roster, while the practice squad is now full.

The team previously released Cam Miller—who played at UM and SMU—and traded Quinn Ewers, who served as the team’s backup last year, to the Jacksonville Jaguars. That leaves Malik Willis as the starter, followed by newly acquired backup Kyle McCord and Brady Cook.

Dolphins announce practice squad moves

The Miami Dolphins filled out their practice squad Tuesday with the addition of eight players, though only one of them was with the team during training camp.

The Dolphins announced the signings of ILB Liam Anderson, EDGE Clelin Ferrell, EDGE Amari Gainer, DL Jordan Miller, WR Will Sheppard, CB Jaylin Simpson, DL Mazi Smith, and TE Tre Watson.

The additions feature two former first-round picks, Smith and Ferrell. Those eight players join the group the Dolphins added to the practice squad on Monday, a list composed entirely of players the team had previously waived.

Perhaps surprisingly, the Dolphins did not re-sign any of the players waived Monday to make space for roster additions, including cornerback Ethan Bonner, tackle Marques Cox, receiver AJ Henning, defensive end Max Llewellyn, and guard/tackle Josh Priebe. It remains possible that those players simply wanted to move on and pursue other opportunities in the NFL.

Tagovailoa took part in the Falcons’ preseason finale against the Dolphins. He completed seven out of eight passes for 95 yards, splitting reps with Cooper Rush and Jack Strand. Stefanski, preparing for his first year as the Falcons’ coach, reflected on Tagovailoa’s performance after the game.

“I thought Tua did a nice job operating, obviously moving the football for a couple drives. Plenty to clean up. An avoidable center-to-quarterback exchange. We have to clean that up. And we will. I thought by and large, [he] operated,” Stefanski said, per reporter Marc Raimondi.

Tua’s performance and the QB decision

Tagovailoa has been going down to the wire with Michael Penix Jr. for the Falcons’ starting job. With the preseason over, it is up to Kevin Stefanski to make the important decision.

The Falcons ended the preseason with a 2-1 record, coming out of the finale with a 17-12 win over the Dolphins. Atlanta did all of its damage in the first half, scoring all 17 points as the team prevented Miami from getting a touchdown at any point in the contest.

Brian Robinson Jr. led the rushing attack with five carries for 17 yards and a touchdown. Meanwhile, Kyle Pitts Sr. caught three passes for 57 yards, and Jack Velling made four receptions for 30 yards and a touchdown.

Tagovailoa‘s night ended in the second quarter after he completed 7 of 8 passes for 95 yards. Quarterback Cooper Rush replaced him at quarterback for the Falcons. The game marked a memorable return for Tagovailoa to Miami while establishing the start of his tenure in Atlanta.

How to watch Dolphins vs Falcons in the USA

The game will be available through Fubo and NFL+, giving viewers two streaming options to follow the preseason finale.

Can I watch Dolphins vs Falcons for free?

Fubo is the option to check for a 5-day free trial before watching Dolphins vs. Falcons. The platform promotes free trials for eligible new subscribers, although the length and availability can depend on the specific plan.

Match Preview: What’s at stake?

The Falcons are treating this preseason finale differently from their first two games. Atlanta has confirmed that its starters will play against Miami, giving the coaching staff one last live evaluation before roster cuts.

The game comes just days after Michael Penix Jr. returned to full-team work, and he has been splitting first-team reps with Tua Tagovailoa. That makes the quarterback situation the clearest storyline heading into Friday night.

Penix’s return is especially significant because the third-year quarterback was expected to be Atlanta’s starter before suffering a season-ending ACL injury last November. Now fully cleared, he is competing with Tagovailoa for the job, while Cooper Rush and Jack Strand have handled most of the preseason snaps so far.

With the Falcons set to make roster decisions after this game, the finale could give the coaching staff valuable information about the quarterback hierarchy and several other position battles.

For Miami, the emphasis is also on the players trying to secure their place on the roster. The Dolphins enter the final preseason game with Malik Willis listed at quarterback, while players such as rookie wide receiver Chris Bell remain part of the evaluation process.

Miami’s current roster includes Bell, who was selected from Louisville, along with a number of young players competing for roles before the regular season begins.

What time is the Dolphins vs Falcons match?

The Dolphins vs. Falcons game kicks off Friday, August 28, at 7:00 PM ET at Hard Rock Stadium. For viewers in different regions of the United States, here are the local start times:

• Eastern Time: 7:00 PM
• Central Time: 6:00 PM
• Mountain Time: 5:00 PM
• Pacific Time: 4:00 PM

For Atlanta, the matchup carries an extra layer of intrigue because Tua Tagovailoa will face his former team while Michael Penix Jr. continues his return from a torn ACL. He is set to start, while Penix has been ruled out of the preseason finale.

Miami enters the game with Malik Willis established as its projected Week 1 starter, while Quinn Ewers and the rest of the quarterback room continue to compete for roles behind him.

Which quarterbacks will play for the Dolphins and Falcons?

Tua Tagovailoa is set to start for the Atlanta Falcons, while the Miami Dolphins are expected to use Malik Willis, Quinn Ewers and Cam Miller at quarterback in the preseason finale.

Atlanta will not play Michael Penix Jr., who is still working his way back from a torn ACL. Tagovailoa’s appearance carries plenty of intrigue as he returns to face the Dolphins, the team that released him during the offseason.

The Falcons plan to give him the opening snaps before turning to veteran Cooper Rush and undrafted rookie Jack Strand. Penix, meanwhile, has returned to 11-on-11 work but said playing Friday would be too soon after only three practices in that setting.

Miami’s quarterback room has a different challenge heading into the final preseason game. Willis remains the team’s projected starter, while Ewers is competing for the primary backup role after returning from a groin injury.Miller is also expected to see work, with the Dolphins still evaluating their depth before the 53-man roster deadline.

Malik Willis is expected to play vs Giants according to Yahoo! Sports, especially since backup Quinn Ewers is dealing with a groin injury. Still, it’s not expected for Willis to play a huge portion of the game.

The Dolphins have infamously one of the most doubted rosters in the NFL, especially on offense, and these preseason snaps could help Willis and company to form a bit more chemistry.

Is Jaxson Dart playing for the Giants vs Dolphins?

Jaxson Dart will also play, however, it’s been stated that he will start and play very limited snaps vs. Dolphins. This could mean around a couple of drives at most. The Giants trust Dart already, so there’s no need to risk him much.

Also, reports state that Dart has been dealing in joint practices, making all his wideouts shine. Therefore, the Giants are feeling great on their offensive side and the couple of drives will be for them to get the feel of football back again.

The Giants and Dolphins are in very different positions

The Giants rebuild is one to watch, because if all goes well, they could instantly go from a bad team to a young, brave team with playoffs potential. John Harbaugh‘s head coaching job will transform this team.

As for the Dolphins, they are fully on a rebuild. Malik Willis has never been a starting quarterback, Jeff Hafley is a rookie head coach, and the overall talent on the roster is not dazzling. Hence, their project is merely on baby steps, rather than expecting a leap.

How to watch Dolphins vs Giants in the USA

The New York Giants vs. Miami Dolphins preseason game will be available nationally on NFL Network. For streaming, Fubo and NFL+ is an official option for live preseason games.

Can I watch Dolphins vs Giants for free?

Eligible new Fubo subscribers can watch Dolphins vs. Giants for free with the 5-day free trial. The platform carries NFL Network, which is broadcasting the preseason matchup, and offers a free trial to eligible new customers.

Match Preview: What’s at stake?

The New York Giants and Miami Dolphins meet in Week 2 of the 2026 NFL preseason, so the result will not affect the regular-season standings. The real value is in evaluating players and settling roster battles with the regular season approaching.

The NFL has specifically highlighted this matchup as an important test for several players, including Miami rookie wide receiver Malachi Washington and linebacker Dylan Sanders.

For the Giants, the game is another opportunity to evaluate Jaxson Dart and a young roster under first-year head coach John Harbaugh. New York also held a joint practice with Miami on Thursday, giving Harbaugh and his staff additional information about their players before Saturday’s game. The sessions are particularly valuable for players competing for starting roles or roster spots.

Miami is also using the preseason to determine how its new-look roster is taking shape. Malik Willis made an encouraging impression in the Dolphins‘ preseason opener, while the team continues to evaluate its depth and several young players. Miami enters the matchup after a 20-7 loss to Washington, while the Giants are also 0-1 in the preseason.

What time is the Dolphins vs Giants match?

The Dolphins vs Giants game kicks off on Saturday, August 22, at 4:00 PM ET. For viewers in different regions of the United States, here are the local start times:

• Eastern Time: 4:00 PM ET
• Central Time: 3:00 PM CT
• Mountain Time: 2:00 PM MT
• Pacific Time: 1:00 PM PT

According to Jordan Raanan of ESPN, the Giants “won” the joint practice at every level, including the veteran wideouts. “Even during 1-on-1 drills early in practice, the Dolphins CBs couldn’t cover the Giants WRs. First two plays: Dart hit Darnell Mooney and Calvin Austin for deep ball TDs… Odell Beckham Jr. put his defender in a blender and was open by 5 yards.”

Calvin Austin III also looked good and him going for a deep touchdown while playing primarily from the slot is actually impressive. However, the takeaway here is Mooney doing what he does best, and that OBJ is still running crisp routes despite his age and inactivity.

Malachi Fields also shone

Raanan also reported that “Malachi Fields made a tough, contested catch downfield.” Fields has been showing the Giants he should be the team’s WR2 behind Malik Nabers this season. Hence, it seems like the Giants offense is coming into its own.

Mooney, who has been quiet this training camp, might be ramping up his actions. The Giants added Najee Harris and the running back signing ended up impacting the receiving corp. Hence, no one is safe until delivering the goods.

Mooney and OBJ are in career-saving years

Odell Beckham Jr. and Darnell Mooney could perfectly be trying to salvage their NFL careers. In the case of Mooney, he was a certified WR2 for most of his career with really good years. However, in three of his last four years he hasn’t reached 500 yards.

As for Beckham, he has not appeared in an NFL game since 2024 and injuries hurt him bad. He hasn’t had a 1,000-yard season since 2019 and is not viewed as a top-tier weapon anymore. At 33 years old, this is his last chance at being relevant on an offense.

According to Jordan Raanan of ESPN, “Coach John Harbaugh said the other day they were going to back off him [Nabers] in this setting.” This is all a part of the Giants’ rehab plan for the wideout.

After all, joint practices are more intense and fast-paced than practices or drills. Nabers is the Giants best wideout and he is on track to feature in Week 1. Hence, they are erring in the side of caution with him.

Dolphins defense could be very physical

The Miami Dolphins don’t have much expectations in the 2026 NFL season. However, one thing they must do is play physical, especially on defense. Their new head coach is former Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley.

Jeff Hafley’s defenses are built on high-intensity physicality, aggressive trench play, and a fearless mindset designed to swarm the opposing players. Hence, putting Malik Nabers against that kind of scheme could’ve ended in absolute tragedy and it’s not even an NFL game.

The Giants had issues in practice with Dolphins

In hindsight, it might be for good that Nabers didn’t practice. Giants’ rookie Francis Mauigoa struggled in his return to Miami for joint practice, for instance. As Harbaugh said, joint practice outside of the facilities “are not a controlled environment,” so it would be a massive blow to see something happen to the star wideout.

“Rookie first-round pick Francis Mauigoa left practice in Miami. It’s not believed to be serious. A heat-related issue,” ESPN’s Jordan Raanan reported on X. “Humidity is off the charts in South Florida.”

Fans were pleased to learn that Mauigoa’s departure from the joint practice against Miami wasn’t due to a serious injury or cause for concern. However, the fact that the first-year offensive lineman had trouble working out in the heat still raised eyebrows.

NY Giants expected Mauigoa to be used to humidity

If there was one thing the Giants would have expected Mauigoa to have no trouble with, it was the humidity and heat. After all, the 21-year-old rookie spent three years at the University of Miami and never missed a game for the Hurricanes. If there was one player fans would have expected not to suffer as the G-Men traveled down to South Florida, it was “Sisi” Mauigoa.

Still, he struggled under the unforgiving sun in Magic City and was forced to leave practice. It may not be anything to worry about, and even those most accustomed to Miami’s humidity can feel under the weather one day, especially when going against some of the best athletes in the world in full pads with the sun beating down overhead.

Mauigoa’s struggles in the heat will remain something to watch when the Giants take on the Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday, August 22, at 4:00 p.m. ET. Going into the season, Mauigoa won’t have to worry about playing NFL regular-season games in such conditions.

Only test in hot weather

The Giants’ preseason matchup against the Dolphins will be the only time they face such conditions. Heat may be a factor in next week’s practice and game against the New York Jets, but it won’t affect the players the way the weather in Miami does.

Looking at the G-Men’s schedule, they have no games in particularly hot weather. Their Week 2 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams could have been the exception, but it will be played at night and in an air-conditioned venue.

During the early weeks of the year, New York’s only other away game will be against the Washington Commanders on Oct. 11. Despite its 1 p.m. kickoff time, there’s a reason no other sports franchise in D.C. is named after the weather in town. The same can’t be said about Miami, home of the NBA’s Miami Heat. In case he wasn’t taught about the local weather during his classes in Coral Gables, Mauigoa learned the lesson in his first practice back in Miami.

How to watch Commanders vs. Dolphins in the USA

The Miami Dolphins vs. Washington Commanders preseason game will be available on NBC, while viewers can also use NFL+ and Fubo to stream the matchup.

Can I watch Commanders vs. Dolphins for free?

Fubo offers a 5-day free-trial option for eligible new subscribers, providing a potential way to watch the game without paying for the first period of service.

Match Preview: What’s at stake?

The Washington Commanders vs. Miami Dolphins preseason opener comes after a joint practice that gave both coaching staffs an early look at how their rosters respond to outside competition.

Washington’s Jayden Daniels was one of the biggest standouts, connecting consistently with Stefon Diggs, Chig Okonkwo and Treylon Burks while finding success in the red zone. The Commanders’ defense also created constant pressure, including a sack by K’Lavon Chaisson on Malik Willis and a pick-six by Mike Sainristil.

For Miami, the preseason opener is particularly important because Willis is expected to start as the Dolphins begin a new era under head coach Jeff Hafley. The quarterback will get his first game action with the team after signing a three-year, $67.5 million contract following his 2025 season with Green Bay.

The Dolphins also have several roster battles that could make Friday’s game especially significant. Miami’s first unofficial depth chart lists Jacob Rodriguez and Tyrel Dodson as co-starters at middle linebacker, while Kenneth Grant and Jordan Phillips are competing for the starting defensive tackle spot alongside Zach Sieler. However, Sieler is expected to miss the game after being listed as week-to-week with an undisclosed injury.

What time is the Commanders vs. Dolphins match?

The Commanders vs. Dolphins game kicks off Friday, August 14, at 7:00 PM ET at Northwest Stadium. For viewers in different regions of the United States, here are the local start times:

• Eastern Time: 7:00 PM
• Central Time: 6:00 PM
• Mountain Time: 5:00 PM
• Pacific Time: 4:00 PM