What Fans Want To See In Joint Practices and Preseason Games

Originally posted on Dolphins Talk | By Dorian Sims | Last updated Aug 4, 2025 10:17 AM ET

As the Miami Dolphins gear up for the 2025 season, fans are going to be watching every snap of preseason and joint practices with a mix of excitement and anxiety. With high expectations and a whole lot of youth, these next few weeks are crucial—not just for fine-tuning the starters, but for evaluating depth and, above all, staying healthy.

Let’s start with the most important point: health. This cannot be emphasized enough. The Dolphins have already suffered some painful blows, losing cornerbacks Kader Kohou and Artie Burns for the season during training camp. That’s a devastating hit to an already thin secondary.

Add in injuries to Austin Jackson, Jaelan Phillips, Alec Ingold, Ashtyn Davis, and rookie Bayron Matos, and the concern grows. While Phillips has assured fans via social media that his injury wasn’t serious, it’s a stark reminder of how quickly things can spiral. The Dolphins are simply not built to absorb major losses across key positions, especially not in August.

Beyond health, what fans want to see most in preseason and joint practices is depth showing up. With the starters likely to see limited action, this is the time for backups to make noise. Nowhere is that more important than the cornerback room.

With two contributors already out for the year, Miami needs someone—anyone—to step up and make plays in coverage. Whether it’s Cam Smith proving he can stay on the field or an under-the-radar name like Ethan Bonner flashing, the opportunity is there.

Another position to watch is the offensive line, where the team continues to battle both inconsistency and a lack of depth. The recent signing of veteran Germain Ifedi—coinciding with the release of fourth quarterback Brett Gabbert—shows how serious the Dolphins are about shoring up protection.

With the offensive line being our weakest link last year, the preseason will be a measuring stick and a true competition to see who can be a true contributor for this team.

Then there’s the backup quarterback battle, which is starting to get interesting. With Gabbert gone, the focus shifts fully to Quinn Ewers and Zach Wilson. Ewers has the higher ceiling, but Wilson’s experience might give him the early edge. Regardless, fans want to see both players take command, avoid turnovers, and show they can run the offense if Tua Tagovailoa ever misses time.

And lastly, let’s talk about Darren Waller. The former Pro Bowl tight end is still on the PUP list, but hopes remain that he’ll be activated at some point during the preseason. If that happens—even for a handful of reps—it will be one of the most anticipated moments of camp. Waller’s size, athleticism, and red zone ability could add a new dimension to this offense, if he’s healthy.

This article first appeared on Dolphins Talk and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: