Commanders 20, Dolphins 7: Five Takeaways From Washington’s Preseason Win

The Washington Commanders took the field for the first time this preseason, with a Friday night showdown with the Miami Dolphins at Northwest Stadium.  

Well, some of them, anyway.  

Washington announced that 26 players would sit this one out, including quarterback Jayden Daniels. Established offensive and defensive linemen also stayed on the sideline. So did Terry McLaurin, Stefon Diggs, Bill Croskey-Merritt and most prominent skill players.  

There was still plenty to glean from this exhibition, as the Commanders progress toward the regular season.  

Rookies Sonny Styles and Antonio Williams suited up for their first NFL action, with a few other regulars. That experience was a plus.  

So was the information gathered about position battles and who might fit well into the 53-man roster — Drew Stevens took another step ahead in the kicking battle — despite the fact the Commanders didn’t show much schematically.  

And while preseason games are played at a lower competition level, the fact is that a Commanders defense starved for turnovers in 2025 had three interceptions.

There was also an early injury concern in this one, but the Commanders finished the night with a 20-7 victory over the Dolphins.  

While Mark Tyler will bring you Studs and Duds on Saturday, here are five quick takeaways from the watching the 2026 preseason opener live:  

Marcus Mariota’s injury trouble 

Veteran quarterback Marcus Mariota started Friday night’s game with Daniels out, but his outing didn’t last long. He came up lame on Washington’s fourth offensive snap.  

Mariota threw an incomplete pass, conducted a run play and then threw a 22-yard strike to Dyami Brown. As you can see in the video below, he took a shot after delivering that pass and was knocked hard to the ground. Mariota’s knee was also noted to buckle on the following first-down play.

Mariota started limping after handing the ball off to Kaytron Allen and eventually went to the ground. Trainers examined his right knee on the field, though Mariota was able to walk off the field on his own. He spent time in the medical tent and eventually left the field with a trainer.  

In two words, not good. The Commanders didn’t make a formal announcement about the nature of Mariota’s injury – they aren’t obligated to do so until the regular season – but any issue with Mariota isn’t great.  

He’s a valuable asset on this team, someone capable of orchestrating the offense should Daniels be unavailable. Mariota’s way better than other backup options in Sam Hartman and Athan Kaliakmanis, so his health is paramount in the regular season.  

Per, The Athletic’s Nicki Jhabvala, head coach Dan Quinn said after the game that he didn’t have an update on Mariota and would provide one on Sunday, when he’s next scheduled to speak to the media.

In other injury news, cornerback Fred Davis II was carted off the field and linebacker Ale Kaho left early, heading to the locker room in the fourth quarter after recording an interception. Davis II told Commanders reporter Ben Standig that he had a full-body cramp.

Sonny Styles, Antonio Williams see first NFL action 

The Commanders kept most of their starters in street clothes for Friday night’s game. Not No. 7 overall NFL draft pick Sonny Styles. The Ohio State product started this game and wore the green dot calling defensive plays during his short time in the game.  

Styles played just one defensive series – Leo Chenal was his wingman – and had three total tackles against the first-team Miami offense. Here’s what Styles had to say about his short stint in the game:

It wasn’t a great defensive series for the group, largely composed of backups, but Styles’ experience was an important thing.  

He got his feet wet, helped the defense line up and didn’t get hurt. That’s a win for a rookie expected to be an every-down defender.  

Williams entered this game to start the fourth offensive series and caught his first pass in the third quarter. It was 16-yard completion from Kaliakmanis, executed with a nice throw and quality route.  

Robert Henry Jr. and the Fatman  

Croskey-Merritt, Rachaad White and rookie sixth-rounder Kaytron Allen have received most training camp focus among running backs, which makes some sense. Croskey-Merritt and White are established. Allen is part of the 2026 draft class, and prefers to go by “Fatman,” for goodness sakes.  

Robert Henry Jr. is an undrafted free agent with less pedigree, even though he piled up stats at Texas-San Antonio last season. He was surely impressive in this one, with some explosive runs and solid pass protection. Henry also did a good job setting up his blocks before showing solid burst working in space.  

He brought all that to bear on this excellent 22-yard touchdown run:  

Overall, Henry had 12 carries for 75 yards and the touchdown (above), for a 6.3-yards-per-carry average. He was also active in the return game, as the Commanders try to find ways for him to contribute 

Allen saw plenty of action as well, and found the end zone in the first half with the type of tough run he was brought here to execute.  

Allen led the team with 85 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries and also has some moves.

A few thoughts about Quan Martin 

Safety Quan Martin is battling for a starting safety spot, with competition from veteran Jeremy Reeves. And, on a day where most key players sat, Martin played and Reaves didn’t. Is that a sign of who’s in front of that camp battle, or did the coaches give a ninth-year vet a preseason game off and let a younger buck play?  

Per The Athletic, Quinn said that playing Martin and Will Harris together at safety was by design.

Regardless, Martin tried to put his best foot forward in this one. While Dolphins quarterback Quinn Ewers clearly wasn’t on the same page with his receiver, Martin capitalized with an interception that shifted momentum to the Commanders in the first half. 

You have to make plays when they’re available and Martin did that. His position battle for who will play safety next to Nick Cross and be featured in three-safety sets will surely continue, possibly throughout the preseason.

Sam Hartman, Athan Kaliakmanis and the No. 3 QB 

Mariota’s injury left most of the game to young quarterbacks battling to be the team’s No. 3 quarterback. Sam Hartman was the first man off the bench for Mariota. He had some good throws and more than a few he’d like back while going 8-for-15 passing for 80 yards and an interception.  

Kaliakmanis was slightly more efficient in his time, which started with the second half’s second offensive series. The Rutgers product flashed some serious arm talent while working the ball down the field.  

Kaliakmanis completed 6-of-10 passes for 87 yards.  

The No. 3 quarterback shouldn’t see the field during the regular season. It’s more of a developmental position, and the Commanders much choose the player to fill that spot. Both guys will see significant time this preseason, with opportunities to impress and prove worthy of sticking around during the fall, but it’s still a pick ‘em at this point.

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