Thoughts on Bell, Miller, Dodson vs. Rodriguez, and other observations from Dolphins’ preseason finale

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MIAMI GARDENS — The Dolphins played their preseason finale Friday against Falcons, a 17-12 Miami loss, and although the most-anticipated storyline involved Atlanta quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, the ex-Dolphins starter, another QB, Miami’s Cam Miller, had a chance to shine.

And Dolphins rookie wide receiver Chris Bell, the third-round pick who was recently cleared for contact after a November knee injury, had an active first quarter.

The Dolphins rested the majority of their starters so players such as quarterback Malik Willis, running back De’Von Achane, center Aaron Brewer, linebacker Jordyn Brooks and defensive tackle Zach Sieler didn’t play. But Brooks and Sieler, such as a few other Dolphins, were nursing injuries so it’s unclear whether they would have played even if fully healthy.

As a reminder, the Dolphins must cut their 91-man roster to 53 players by 6 p.m. Sunday.

Here’s what we observed Friday:

Bell gets contact

Bell, who only played one quarter, got a 5-yard reception on the opening play of the game. The ensuing tackle marked the first hit he’s taken since sustaining an injury to his left ACL and MCL in November while at Louisville.

Bell had an 18-yard reception later in the first quarter and on another play took a big hit on an incomplete pass.

Bell ended the game with two receptions for 22 yards on five targets.

The Dolphins will gauge Bell’s health/left knee Saturday. The outcome will probably have a large effect on whether he’s able to play the Sept. 13 season opener at the Las Vegas Raiders.

Miller seems to solidify No. 3 job as Ewers sits

Quarterback Cam Miller, who is behind Willis and backup Quinn Ewers on the depth chart, seemed to solidify the No. 3 job over Mark Gronowski. Ewers, who is nursing a right groin injury, didn’t play Friday.

Miller, the 2026 sixth-round pick by Las Vegas, was 7 of 16 for 71 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions in the first half, which was all he played. He was sacked twice and was constantly under duress. He had three carries for eight yards.

Miller seems most likely headed for the 16-man practice squad.

Dodson vs. Rodriguez

Rookie linebacker Jacob Rodriguez, who didn’t practice Wednesday, was among those who didn’t play Friday, which meant veteran linebacker Tyrel Dodson, who is locked in a battle with Rodriguez for the starting job, had a chance to make a move.

Dodson did his best, recording six tackles in the first half while also causing a fumble that linebacker Jackson Woodard recovered.

Dodson and Rodriguez have played fairly evenly through training camp. Both were sidelined briefly by injuries.

It’s unclear whether Hafley would prefer to play the veteran or youngster if the battle is determined a tie.

Offense struggles in preseason

The Dolphins only one scored touchdown in three preseason games, and that came on their first possession, a 14-play, 93-yard drive when its starters faced the Washington Commanders’ second-teamers. Miami lost at Washington, 20-7, lost to the New York Giants, 26-3, and lost to Atlanta on Friday.

The Dolphins’ first-team offense, it should be noted, only played the one series in the preseason, which was also the case for its starting defense, which also faced Washington’s second team.

Miami was outgained 1,004-564 in preseason. The Dolphins were 8 of 37 on third downs (22%) while opponents were 24 of 47 (51%).

For the record, Willis ends preseason 4 for 5 for 43 yards, no touchdowns, no interceptions and a 102.5 passer rating.

Gay states his case

Veteran linebacker Willie Gay Jr., whose roster spot could be in jeopardy, had a three-tackle game Friday. Gay, who had six tackles against the Giants, has mostly spent time with the reserves in training camp and has seemed to spend a lot of time with the third team.

Gay is being pushed by young linebackers such as Jackson Woodard, a special teams ace who had a fumble recovery Friday.

Proctor and Johnson sit

Left guard Kadyn Proctor and cornerback Chris Johnson, the Dolphins’ first-round picks, didn’t play Friday. Both have had a productive training camp and with the Dolphins facing a smattering of injuries it’s likely coach Jeff Hafley didn’t want to risk anything with his prized youngsters.

Willis jerseys more visible

Willis jerseys are becoming more common at Hard Rock Stadium. Although it was a small crowd Friday the Willis jerseys were more common than a week ago for the New York Giants preseason game, which was the preseason home opener.

Interestingly, there were a couple of Tagovailoa/Miami Dolphins jerseys spotted Friday.

Special teams issues re-surface

The Dolphins, who have issues with penalties at times in preseason, were flagged for illegal formation on Gay on the opening kickoff, which reduced wide receiver Jalen Reagor’s 26-yard kickoff return to 21 yards.

Later, kicker Riley Patterson then kicked off out of bounds in an ugly-looking kick that resulted in a penalty that gave Atlanta possession at the Miami 40-yard line. After that Patterson had a 56-yard field goal attempt blocked.

In good special teams performances in the first half, punter Bradley Pinion had a 60-yard punt and Patterson had field goals of 45, 46, 26 and 37 yards. Reagor had three returns for 96 yards.

Atlanta had a 62-yard kickoff return in the fourht quarter.

Penalties add up early

The Dolphins, who entered Friday’s game with 15 penalties for 145 yards, had a first-quarter holding penalty on guard Josh Priebe that negated a nine-yard scramble by Miller on third and eight. The Dolphins eventually punted. Priebe was later flagged for a false start. Miami also had an offsides flag on edge rusher David Ojabo that was declined in the first quarter. Those were in addition to Gay’s five-yard illegal formation on the opening kickoff return. The Dolphins eventually settled down and ended with six penalties for 30 yards.

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