Washington Commanders defeat Miami Dolphins in preseason opener

The Washington Commanders defeated the Miami Dolphins 20-7 in their NFL preseason opener, but the game was marked by a significant injury to Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota. Mariota suffered a medial collateral ligament (MCL) sprain during a non-contact play after only four snaps. While he is expected to be ready for the regular season opener, he will miss the remainder of the preseason.

Despite the loss, the Dolphins' offense showed promise through new quarterback Malik Willis. Willis led a 93-yard touchdown drive in his debut, completing 4 of 5 passes for 43 yards. The drive concluded with a 1-yard touchdown run by De’Von Achane. Other notable performances for Miami included rookie Caleb Douglas, who caught a 28-yard pass from Willis, and cornerback Marco Wilson, who recorded an interception.

For Washington, rookie linebacker Sonny Styles and running back Kaytron Allen, who rushed for 85 yards and a touchdown, were among the players who saw action. The Commanders' coaching staff remains focused on preparing starter Jayden Daniels for the upcoming season despite the setback with their veteran backup.