MIAMI GARDENS — Anything that has concerned the Miami Dolphins over the past two weeks should take a few steps toward getting fixed in this week’s joint practices against the talent-bare Houston Texans.
The Dolphins spent an off day in Houston on Tuesday in preparation for joint practices against the Texans on Wednesday and Thursday ahead of their 4 p.m. game Saturday at NRG Stadium.
The Dolphins’ defense has been spectacular recently while the offense has been lagging, relatively speaking. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa threw three interceptions in Sunday’s practice and hasn’t been sharp the past two practices without wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (midsection). Fellow wide receiver Tyreek Hill has feasted, however, appearing to be in midseason form while torching the Dolphins defense.
By the way, it’s not clear whether Waddle or rookie cornerback Cam Smith (right shoulder) will practice or play against Houston.
In fact, coach Mike McDaniel hasn’t said whether any starters will play aside from possibly left guard Liam Eichenberg and right tackle Austin Jackson, who both started and played in last week’s 19-3 preseason-opening loss to Atlanta. It seems doubtful considering the starters got so much 11-on-11 work in practices Sunday and Monday.
Still, the Dolphins should excel this week in individual matchups and as a team.
Bookmakers have the Dolphins’ over/under win total at 9.5, while the Texans are at 6.5.
The Texans have had one Pro Bowl selection since 2020, and that’s left tackle Laremy Tunsil, the Dolphins’ 2016 first-round pick.
Last season, Tunsil made the Pro Bowl and the Texans had four alternates — defensive end Jerry Hughes, running back Dameon Pierce, kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn and punter Cameron Johnson.
Houston selected quarterback C.J. Stroud (Ohio State) with the No. 2 pick in the draft, and defensive end Will Anderson Jr. (Alabama) at No. 3. Stroud was 2 of 4 for 13 yards with no touchdowns and one interception in 11 snaps in last week’s 20-9 preseason victory over New England.
Here are some matchups to watch this week:
Edge rusher Bradley Chubb vs. LT Laremy Tunsil
This is a matchup of Pro Bowl selections from last season. Chubb (8.0 sacks in 2022 between Denver and Miami) has had an outstanding training camp, but he hasn’t faced Dolphins Pro Bowl left tackle Terron Armstead because Armstead has only played a few snaps while recovering from offseason knee surgery. This is a huge move upward in competition for Chubb because Tunsil is one of the top left tackles in the league.
RT Austin Jackson vs. LDE Will Anderson Jr.
Jackson, a question mark entering training camp, has been steady, which is impressive considering he goes against Dolphins edge rusher Jaelan Phillips every day in practice, and Phillips is having an outstanding camp. Jackson did OK in 14 snaps against the Falcons in the preseason opener. Anderson will test Jackson, but perhaps not as much as Phillips.
WR Tyreek Hill vs. CB Derek Stingley Jr.
Hill, one of the best wide receivers in the league, has been absolutely outstanding the past two practices. Stingley, the No. 3 pick of the 2022 draft, had 43 tackles, one interception and five passes defended last season in nine games. Everyone expects Hill to win this matchup by a large margin, but if Stingley makes a play here or there he should be encouraged.
Dolphins run defense vs. RB Dameon Pierce
The Dolphins run defense is a strength. It’s unclear, however, whether defensive lineman Christian Wilkins will participate in 11-on-11s. He hasn’t done much with the Dolphins the past few practices. It’s not known if it’s veteran rest, which McDaniel sometimes grants, or if there is an injury issue. Pierce is a physical runner who rushed for 939 yards (4.3 yards per carry) and four touchdowns last season.
LT Kendall Lamm vs. DE Jerry Hughes
This is a matchup of veterans. Lamm, 31 and in his ninth season, will likely take most of the snaps in Armstead’s place as he tries to secure the backup left tackle job. Hughes, 34 and in his 14th season, is technically a second-teamer because he’s a pass rush specialist but he totaled 9.0 sacks, two forced fumbles and one interception last season and has irritated the Dolphins since his days with Buffalo (2013-21).
Coach Mike McDaniel vs. coach DeMeco Ryans
Ryans, a first-year head coach, knows McDaniel, a second-year head coach, very well. They spent five years together in San Francisco. Ryans served as defensive quality control coach (2017), inside linebackers coach (2018-20) and defensive coordinator (2021), while McDaniel served as run-game coordinator (2017-20) and offensive coordinator (2021).
