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

According to JP Finlay of NBC Sports, it’s highly unlikely that Jayden Daniels will play vs Miami Dolphins. This comes after a very hectic 36 hours for Daniels. Jayden Daniels is in the middle of a controversy where he feels disrespected by LSU. However, per Finlay, that controversy has nothing to do with Daniels not playing.

On the flip side, Malik Willis will actually play for the Dolphins vs. Commanders. Jayden Daniels is coming off a very bad sophomore year where he didn’t play well and suffered a lot of injuries as well.

Jayden Daniels’ preseason stats

Given that 2024 was his rookie year, Daniels did manage to log some preseason stats. However, after a stellar rookie season, he was pretty much rested throughout the 2025 season by the Commanders and he is scheduled to play a minimal role this year.

Commanders’ preseason schedule

The Commanders will be on the road quite a lot during the 2026 NFL Preseason. Facing two AFC teams, the Commanders will face the Dolphins and Baltimore Ravens. The only NFC foe will be the Detroit Lions.

During Wednesday’s presser, Miami Dolphins’ new head coach Jeff Hafley confirmed Malik Willis will play vs Commanders. This might prove to be the best decision as Willis has been a backup throughout his whole career. These reps could be very valuable for Willis.

Jayden Daniels playing status vs Dolphins is also confirmed. However, Daniels and Willis face very different situations. Daniels’ focus is to stay healthy and keep his level up. Meanwhile, Willis needs to prove he is QB1 caliber.

Malik Willis’ preseason stats

Given that he’s been a backup for the majority of his career, Willis has been an active preseason performer. Hence, he is used to get plenty of reps in preseason as part of the Tennessee Titans and Green Bay Packers.

Dolphins’ preseason schedule

Miami will face three NFC teams during the 2026 NFL Preseason. Two of those games will be at home, so at least the Dolphins get to save traveling time. Now, it’s up to them to prove they have what it takes to be a competitive team in the NFL.

“I’m not trying to hear ‘we rebuilding for two years,’” the running back said on The Set podcast with Terron Armstead. “I ain’t trying to do it. Most definitely, I want to win the division, we gotta win the playoff game. I ain’t even going to say we’re going be trying to win the championship, but we just got to get those things first.”

Achane recently made headlines in Miami after signing a four-year contract extension. During that span, he will look to bring this team back into the NFL elite and, why not, make another run at the Super Bowl.

Dolphins want to return to the top of the NFL

The Miami Dolphins haven’t tasted Super Bowl glory in a really long time, with their last championship coming all the way back on January 13, 1974, when they beat the Minnesota Vikings 24-7 in Super Bowl VIII. Since those legendary 1970s teams, the postseason has brought mostly heartbreak for Dolphins fans.

Their most recent playoff appearance ended in a rough defeat during the 2023 AFC Wild Card round, where they had to play in freezing weather at Arrowhead Stadium and dropped a 26-7 decision to the Kansas City Chiefs on January 13, 2024.

Achane will be the main weapon for Miami

As the Miami Dolphins transition into a completely new era, De’Von Achane is locked in to be the absolute focal point of the offense, serving as the ultimate security blanket on the ground for Malik Willis. With the passing game undergoing a massive identity shift under Willis—who will rely heavily on Tutu Atwell and Jalen Tolbert as his primary weapons on the outside—Achane’s role becomes even more crucial.

While the defense focuses on containing those deep threats downfield, Achane’s elite vision and explosive rushing ability will carry the load, wearing down defensive fronts and setting the tempo to completely ease the pressure off his new quarterback’s shoulders.

That said, much is expected from what the new quarterback can deliver for this team. However, coach Hafley made his primary plans for Willis clear to the press.

“My main focus for him right now is to learn the scheme, get to know the players and not overdo the whole leadership thing,” the head coach said recently, via Marcel Louis-Jacques of ESPN. “I mean, I think that’s my job and [the coaches’] job right now, so he can focus on becoming the best quarterback and the best player and the best teammate he can be.”

Willis knows what he has to offer, though he also laments not having all of his weapons at his disposal, such as Jaylen Waddle, who left for the Denver Broncos. The former Packers standout envisions a symbiotic relationship with his coach to achieve great results.

“It’s about building trust,” Willis said. “I mean, every play we go out there, whether it’s calling the play, whether it’s executing the play, whether it’s making sure somebody else can get lined up, you build that over time. I don’t think you just put somebody in a position to say, ‘OK, you’re the leader now.’ You got to earn that.”

Hafley and Willis bring prior Green Bay connection to new team

The existing chemistry between Jeff Hafley and Malik Willis from their time together in Green Bay could be a massive shortcut for South Florida’s success. Having already shared a locker room with the Packers, the head coach and quarterback enter this new chapter with a built-in mutual trust and a shared football vocabulary.

This established connection is expected to streamline the offensive installation, allowing Willis to command the system with confidence from day one while helping Hafley quickly instill his culture across the entire roster.

Early challenges await Miami

Miami faces a brutal gauntlet to open the regular season, kicking off with three consecutive matchups against powerhouse opponents. The Dolphins hit the road for back-to-back high-stakes away games, traveling to face the Raiders on September 13th before flying out to the West Coast for a grueling clash against the 49ers on September 20th.

The team finally returns home on September 27th, but there will be no breathing room as they host the defending champion Kansas City Chiefs in a high-profile showdown that will serve as an early litmus test for their postseason aspirations.

“It was unfortunate, for sure, to say the least,” Willis said recently from Dolphins Organized Team Activities. “That’s a really good player and I would have loved to play with him, but that’s above my pay grade, brother. Out of my hands.”

The trade that sent Jaylen Waddle to the Denver Broncos was a long-term bet for the Miami Dolphins, who received three draft picks in return. They held the 30th overall pick (later moved in a trade with the San Francisco 49ers, shifting up to pick 27), where they selected Chris Johnson. At pick 94 they chose wide receiver Chris Bell, and with pick 130 they added Texas edge rusher Trey Moore.

Dolphins’ 2026 aerial attack

In the midst of a full rebuild and with a clear long-term vision, Miami has decided to surround Malik Willis with young talent and recent offseason additions such as Jalen Tolbert from the Dallas Cowboys and Tutu Atwell from the Los Angeles Rams.

The void left by Jaylen Waddle

During his five seasons with the Miami Dolphins, Jaylen Waddle was an absolute dynamic force, racking up 373 receptions for 5,039 yards and 26 receiving touchdowns across 78 games, highlighted by a spectacular 1,356-yard campaign in 2022. Replacing that kind of elite, vertical production is going to be incredibly difficult for Miami’s offense moving forward.

The challenge becomes exponentially harder with Malik Willis taking over as the team’s new leader under center; as a quarterback with a vastly different, more run-heavy and developmental style, Willis simply doesn’t possess the seasoned passing chemistry or high-volume aerial experience needed to replicate the constant deep-threat impact that Waddle brought to South Florida every single Sunday.

Dolphins also lost Tyreek Hill

As if moving on from Jaylen Waddle wasn’t enough, the Miami Dolphins will also be without Tyreek Hill for the 2026 season. Back in February, the new front office decided to completely clear house, releasing the superstar wide receiver to save nearly $23 million against the salary cap.

Hill’s massive $51 million cap hit, combined with a severe, season-ending knee injury (torn ACL) suffered in September 2025, made him an inevitable cap casualty for a team entering a massive rebuild.