Miami Dolphins crumble late in preseason loss to Atlanta Falcons | Game recap

The Miami Dolphins opened the 2023 NFL preseason under Friday night lights at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.

Fresh off a 9-8 finish and appearance in the 2023 NFL playoffs, head coach Mike McDaniel and the Dolphins faced the Atlanta Falcons at 7 p.m. in the first live action for the new Miami roster.

The Dolphins and Falcons held adrenaline-laden joint practices this week which saw star third-year wide receiver Jaylen Waddle exit with injury.

Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa remains the undisputed starter for the Dolphins but competition is ongoing between second-year pro Skylar Thompson and offseason signee Mike White.

The pair could see significant time on the field after fourth-string rookie quarterback James Blackman, a Belle Glade native, was waived by the Dolphins on Tuesday.

Jalen Ramsey's injury has opened opportunities for high draft picks like Noah Igbinoghene, Eli Apple and Cam Smith to earn more playing time while Ramsey recovers from meniscus surgery with an unknown timetable.

Keep scrolling to see the latest updates from the game.

Instant Takeaways: Miami Dolphins lose ugly to Atlanta Falcons

Achane impresses: Dolphins rookie De’Von Achane shows glimpse of potential in high-volume preseason debut

9:37 p.m. | Falcons tack on pick-six touchdown

Atlanta's Breon Borders intercepted an errant Skylar Thompson and returned it for a touchdown on the Dolphins' ensuing touchdown drive. The Falcons missed their second extra point of the night.

Thompson's pass was high and bounced off his receivers hands into the waiting hands of Borders.

9:32 p.m. | Atlanta Falcons ice victory with long punt return touchdown

The Falcons have put this game away late in the fourth quarter with a long punt return touchdown from Dee Alford.

Miami allowed a sack of Skylar Thompson on third-and-10 and was forced to punt from its own territory. Alford cleared a first wave of Miami coverage and then burst through to the sideline, outrunning the Miami punter for the end zone.

The Dolphins trail 13-3 with 2:33 left to play.

9:15 p.m. | Dolphins finally get on the scoreboard with long field goal

Miami will not be shut out in its first preseason game of 2023.

Jason Sanders nailed a 49-yard field goal to cap a 9-play, 43-yard scoring drive. It was the first time Miami chose to kick a field goal in Atlanta territory after attempting fourth-down conversions on two previous long drives.

9 p.m. | Skylar Thompson tosses Dolphins' second interception

Skylar Thompson threw the Dolphins' second interception of the night less than a minute into the fourth quarter. He was attempting to hit tight end Elijah Higgins deep but the pass was badly underthrown.

8:56 p.m. | Dolphins scoreless entering fourth quarter

The Miami Dolphins will enter the fourth quarter with a zero on the scoreboard after a scoreless fourth quarter.

Running back Myles Gaskin has been the Dolphins' most productive skill player with 57 rushing yards on seven carries. He also has 20 receiving yards.

Wide receiver Erik Ezukanma also has 52 rushing yards, much of which came on an end-around run.

8:46 p.m. | Cam Smith favoring shoulder after Dolphins deny Atlanta Falcons on fourth down

Dolphins second-round pick Cam Smith left the field appearing to favor his right shoulder after Miami managed to force the Falcons into a turnover on downs late in the third quarter.

Atlanta maintains a 6-0 advantage with 3:36 left until the fourth quarter.

8:30 p.m. | Skylar Thompson leads offense to start second half

Skylar Thompson will lead the Dolphins offense after Miami's defense earned a quick three-and-out to open the second half.

Thompson is entering his second season as a professional quarterback. A seventh-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, Thompson started two games for the Dolphins last season amid significant injuries in the Miami quarterback room.

8:10 p.m. | Dolphins struggle to convert fourth downs in first half

Miami's first half of preseason football will end scoreless after the Dolphins failed to convert fourth down in the red zone for a second time.

Mike White's pass into the end zone was deflected and fell to the ground away from his intended target. White finished the half 9-of-13 for 86 yards and an interception.

At halftime, Atlanta leads Miami 6-0 at Hard Rock Stadium.

7:45 p.m. | Godwin Igwebuike gets Falcons' first preseason touchdown

The Atlanta Falcons' first touchdown of the preseason goes to running back Godwin Igwebuike, who broke an 11-yard run up the middle early in the second quarter. Atlanta's PAT was no good.

Miami trails Atlanta 6-0 with 12:33 left in the second quarter at Hard Rock Stadium.

7:30 p.m. | Dolphins offense sputters on second drive

The Dolphins offense allowed a sack to open Miami's second offensive possession as Nate Landman surged through the line to reach Mike White.

A penalty allowed the Dolphins to extend the drive but they were forced to punt four plays later.

Miami and Atlanta are tied 0-0 with 1:56 left in the first quarter.

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7:15 p.m. | Mike White intercepted by Demarcco Hellams on opening drive

Mike White's first preseason drive leading the Dolphins offense ended in an interception as rookie safety Demarcco Hellams intercepted a deflected pass in the end zone. White's pass was intended for Tyler Kroft.

Hellams, a rookie out of Alabama, was selected by the Falcons in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL Draft.

7:10 p.m. | Mike White to start at quarterback for Miami Dolphins

The Miami Dolphins will start Mike White at quarterback against the Atlanta Falcons. He is expected to play about a half before giving way to Skylar Thompson.

White is a native of Pembroke Pines and played high school football at NSU University School in Fort Lauderdale.

Miami won the toss and received the opening kickoff. De'Von Achane returned the opening kickoff to the 37-yard line.

6:45 p.m. | Dolphins honor late employee Jason Jenkins

The Miami Dolphins honored the late Jason Jenkins, the organization's former senior vice president of communications and community affairs, with a purple pin ahead of Friday's preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons.

Jenkins passed suddenly in August 2022 during the Dolphins preseason.

5:45 p.m. | Emmanuel Ogbah, Mike White, De'Von Achane among Dolphins to watch vs. Falcons

Emmanuel Ogbah, who holds the Dolphins' largest cap hit at $17.2 million, will be one of the biggest names taking the field for Miami on Friday vs. the Falcons.

Backup quarterbacks Mike White and Skylar Thompson will take center stage as the duo attempts to solidify a place as backup to starter Tua Tagovailoa. Fourth-string quarterback James Blackman, a Belle Glade native, was waived earlier this week.

5:40 p.m. | Tua Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill among numerous Dolphins not expected to play

Few from the Dolphins starting lineup are expected to appear in Friday night's preseason game against the Falcons, including offensive stars Tua Tagovailoa and wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.

Offensive linemen Austin Jackson and Liam Eichenberg are the only two offensive starters expected to play as the pair continue working to solidify their places at left guard and right tackle.

Key defensive players like Jevon Holland, Bradley Chubb and Xavien Howard will also miss Friday's game. Emmanuel Ogbah was not included among players expected to sit out.

5:30 p.m. | State of Florida Sports podcast: Catch up with Dolphins training camp developments

The AFC East may be the most closely contested division in the NFL in 2023.

If you ask anyone in South Florida, they believe the Dolphins’ chances to win the division, or at least nab a wild card spot, are really good.

Unfortunately for the Dolphins, they’ve already lost their highly-decorated offseason acquisition when cornerback Jalen Ramsey suffered a knee injury on the second day of camp.

Catch up with other training camp developments with Post reporter Joe Schad's appearance on the State of Florida Sports podcast.

5 p.m. | Dolphins teammates buzzing about De'Von Achane: ‘Man, he's going to be good'

It’s right there at the beginning of the man’s bio, as if anyone needed proof in black and white. De’Von Achane was an All-American sprinter in track. Meaning when the Dolphins drafted him, they completed their quartet of the fastest skill threats in the NFL.

Maybe they can’t pass the baton on Sunday afternoons, but they can pass defensive backs. And if that’s all Dolphins opponents are concerned about now, great. Because Tuesday, Achane had a warning. ― Hal Habib

Where will the Miami Dolphins play the Atlanta Falcons?

Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida

When will the Dolphins play the Falcons in the preseason?

7 p.m. Friday, August 11

How can I watch Dolphins vs. Falcons on TV?

Here's where you can watch the Dolphins feed:

• WFOR (CBS 4) in Miami

• WPEC (CBS 12) in West Palm Beach

• WZVN (ABC 7) in Fort Myers

• KHON (FOX 2) in Honolulu, Hawaii

How can I watch Dolphins vs. Falcons on streaming?

NFL+ (out-of-market only), YouTube TV (2-week free trial), Hulu + Live TV (7-day free trial), fuboTV (7-day free trial)

Who are the Dolphins TV announcers?

Steve Goldstein (play-by-play), Kim Bokamper (analyst), Mike Cugno and Johanna Torres (sideline reporters)

How can I listen to Dolphins vs. Falcons on radio?

Radio: WINZ-AM 940 and WBGG-FM 105.9, SiriusXM Channel 88

Online radio: SiriusXM Channel 819, TuneIn

Who are the Dolphins radio announcers?

Jimmy Cefalo (play-by-play) and Joe Rose (analyst)

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Dolphins vs. Falcons game recap, NFL preseason analysis