It was a game the Dolphins will have been looking at to test themselves against their only preseason opponents who made the postseason last year. But in a game cut short but a worrying injury to Daewood Davis there were far more questions than answers.
So let’s get into our 3 takeaways from the last preseason game before Miami take the field in 14 days.
DOLPHINS D HAS HOLES
With Christian Wilkins still not suiting up the Dolphins defensive line got gashed. Still adjusting to HC Vic Fangio’s scheme, the Dolphins stopped the Jags offence just once on the night, and that was a fumble forced at the Dolphins goal line after the Texans marched 78 yards in 12 plays.
But the concern has to be that this is the Dolphins last action before the Chargers take aim at this still amorphous defence. Will Eli Apple be the starting corner opposite Xavien Howard? Will Wilkins be back on the field by then? Will there be less holes in the zones?
Last weeks win over the Texans seemed impressive. But rookie QB CJ Stroud hasn’t exactly wowed in preseason, and with the Jags first, second, and third team players all having success, there must be some concern.
BACKUP QB IS AN ISSUE
Mike White is ostensibly the backup QB but he’s seen very very little action in the preseason. He missed the Jags game because he’s in the concussion protocol, and has thrown just 14 passes in preseason including an interception and a concussion on just 37 snaps.
White was a peculiar signing for me to begin with. Never really wowing for the Jets, and then guaranteeing him $4.5-million was mind-boggling. Couple that with Skylar Thompson outplaying him, despite Thompson being extremely meh this pre-season.
Hopefully not an issue as the Dolphins have their franchise QB, but the issue is that Tua has never played a full season in his life. OC Frank Smith will be praying that Tua can stay healthy this season because the Dolphins season is 100% on his shoulders.
CHRIS BROOKS IS THE BRIGHT SPOT
Salvon Ahmed looked great again, before leaving the game with an injury. But when Chris Brooks entered the game he was a powerhouse and is exactly what this offense is lacking (assuming they don’t trade for Jonathan Taylor). With 6 carries for 33 yards and 2 touchdowns, Brooks now has at least one 10-yard run in each of the preseason games this season and has forced 7 missed tackles (4 against the Jags).
The Dolphins rushers have had a good season, and while Brooks probably is only a practice squad player his performances have been impressive.
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