The Miami Dolphins listed their inactives for their preseason game against the Houston Texans, and star quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and star receiver Tyreek Hill are both off the list, which means they could make their preseason debuts.
Some of the key players on the team’s inactive list include cornerback Jalen Ramsey, wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, running back Jeff Wilson Jr., rookie cornerback Cam Smith, safety Brandon Jones, offensive tackle Terron Armstead and defensive tackle Christian Wilkins.
Ramsey, the team’s big offseason acquisition, will miss time in the regular season after suffering a knee injury this offseason.
The following players are not expected to play in this afternoon's preseason game. pic.twitter.com/Th7uH1Enx7
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) August 19, 2023
ESPN reporter Marcel Louis-Jacques believes that Tagovailoa will play in the game against Houston.
Tua not included on this list. I have said all week that there is a precedent McDaniel set last year of playing his starting quarterback in the second and third preseason games
We should see Tua Tagovailoa on the field against the Texans this afternoon https://t.co/4tcUx12U6o
— Marcel Louis-Jacques (@Marcel_LJ) August 19, 2023
While preseason games obviously don’t matter for Miami’s record, they are good tune-ups for Tagovailoa and the team’s offense.
Miami lost to the Atlanta Falcons in its first preseason game without many key players, but head coach Mike McDaniel looks to be getting his starters (at some positions) some reps in the second preseason matchup.
The Dolphins’ final preseason game is on Saturday, Aug. 26 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Since it’s so close to the season, there’s a good chance Tagovailoa and others won’t play much in that game.
Dolphins fans are hoping that Tagovailoa and Hill can build on the connection that they had in the 2022 season.
Hill finished the 2022 season with 119 catches for 1,710 yards and seven touchdowns. He averaged over 100 receiving yards per game even though the team had to play three different quarterbacks in the 2022 season.
Tagovailoa took a major leap with Hill on the roster, throwing for 3,548 yards, 25 touchdowns and eight interceptions in 13 games in the 2022 season. He also led the NFL in yards gained per pass attempt and yards gained per pass completion.
While both players likely won’t play a ton on Saturday, it’ll be good to get them some live game reps before the 2023 regular season kicks off in September.
Miami is looking to build on an impressive 2022 season when it made the playoffs in the AFC. If the Dolphins have key players like Hill and Tagovailoa stay healthy in 2023, they’ll be a dangerous team to face.
