The Miami Dolphins' preseason calendar just got a little thicker. The Dolphins and the New York Giants will hold a joint practice ahead of their Week 3 preseason matchup on August 22, 2026. This session presents both teams with a valuable opportunity to evaluate their rosters under controlled scrimmage conditions before the final exhibition game of the summer.
This isn't merely an added workout; it's a strategic move for a Dolphins coaching staff led by first-year head coach Jeff Hafley and a new-look roster. Joint practices have become an NFL staple in recent years, prized for simulating game speed while allowing coaches to focus on specific situational work. For a team still early in installing its systems under a new head coach, the extra reps against unfamiliar competition are invaluable.
What the Joint Practice Means for Miami
For the Dolphins, this joint session offers a controlled environment to test their schemes against a Giants squad that, like Miami, is working through its own identity following a busy offseason. The timing is crucial: Week 3 of the preseason is typically the dress rehearsal for starters, and the joint practice allows both teams to get high-quality work done before the live game.
Head coach Jeff Hafley, offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik, and defensive coordinator Sean Duggan will look to install more of their systems in a competitive yet controlled setting. Unlike a game, where substitutions and scoreboard pressures can dictate play-calling, joint practices let coaches script periods and focus on specific personnel groupings or down-and-distance situations.
From a roster evaluation standpoint, this is a goldmine. The Dolphins' quarterback room, featuring Malik Willis, Quinn Ewers, Cam Miller, and Mark Gronowski, requires live, competitive reps to sort out depth chart positions. Getting those reps against a Giants defense unfamiliar with Miami's tendencies forces each quarterback to operate on pure processing and execution rather than rote memorization of their own protection calls.
Battle in the Trenches Will Be the Story
One of the most telling battles during the session will be between Miami's offensive line and New York's defensive front. The Dolphins' tackle group--Austin Jackson, Patrick Paul, Braeden Daniels, Charlie Heck, Carter Warren, and Kadyn Proctor--brings size and potential but lacks extensive game experience as a cohesive unit. Against a Giants defensive line that traditionally brings pressure, this practice will test their communication and technique.
Center Aaron Brewer anchors the interior line alongside Andrew Meyer and Jim Bonifas. Guard spots are contested by Josh Priebe, Jamaree Salyer, Jonah Savaiinaea, Kion Smith, and DJ Campbell. The Giants' interior defensive tackles will challenge Miami's guards in both pass protection and run blocking.
General manager Jon-Eric Sullivan has assembled depth in the trenches, but depth alone doesn't win games. This joint practice will reveal which backups can hold their own when the competition is live and the opponent isn't wearing a Dolphins jersey.
Defensive Matchups to Watch
Defensive coordinator Sean Duggan will have plenty to evaluate. Miami's defensive end rotation features Robert Beal Jr., Seth Coleman, Max Llewellyn, and Mason Reiger. This group will be tasked with setting the edge against a Giants running game that emphasizes physicality.
Anchoring the interior defensive line are Zach Sieler and Jordan Phillips alongside Kenneth Grant, Zeek Biggers, and Alex Huntley. They must demonstrate they can handle double teams and combo blocks from Giants offensive linemen, who often employ a downhill, gap-scheme approach.
Miami's linebacker corps is deep with Jordyn Brooks, Tyrel Dodson, Willie Gay Jr., Cameron Goode, and Chop Robinson providing speed and versatility. The joint practice will test their ability to diagnose plays against a new offense and communicate adjustments on the fly. Young linebackers like Jackson Woodard, Kyle Louis, Trey Moore, and Jacob Rodriguez must show they can handle the mental load as they compete for roster spots.
In the secondary, cornerbacks Alex Austin, Darrell Baker Jr., Ethan Bonner, JuJu Brents, and Jason Marshall Jr. will face Giants receivers running a diverse route tree. Safety play from Zayne Anderson, Omar Brown, Lonnie Johnson Jr., and Dante Trader Jr. will be critical in preventing explosive plays over the top. Even in preseason form, the Giants' passing game can test a secondary's discipline.
Why Joint Practices Matter More Than Ever
The NFL's current collective bargaining agreement limits padded practices during training camp, making every live rep precious. Joint practices offer a rare chance to get meaningful contact work that isn't always possible in single-team sessions. For the Dolphins, still in early stages of building Hafley's culture and schemes, this is a chance to build confidence and continuity against a real opponent without the finality of a scoreboard.
For fans, the joint practice offers a behind-the-scenes glimpse at how the team is progressing. Portions of these sessions are often open to media and sometimes the public, offering insights that preseason games--with their vanilla play-calling and rotating personnel--cannot provide.
Looking Ahead to August 22
Following the joint practice, the Dolphins and Giants will meet in their preseason finale on August 22. For Miami, this game will serve as the last significant evaluation before final roster cuts. The joint practice allows coaches to decide who earns playing time in that game and who may have already secured or lost their roster spot during camp.
With Week 1 of the regular season approaching, the Dolphins are using every tool available to prepare their roster. The joint practice with the Giants represents a key step in that process--a chance to compete, learn, and build the team identity that will carry into September.
Miami fans should mark their calendars. If this joint practice mirrors the intensity and competitiveness of the Dolphins' recent practice with Washington Commanders, it promises to be one of the most informative days of the preseason. The score won't count, but the evaluations will matter greatly.