Commanders Open 2026 Preseason Against Dolphins as Roster Battles Take Center Stage
The Washington Commanders will open their 2026 preseason Friday night against the Miami Dolphins at Northwest Stadium, but fans hoping to see the regular-season lineup should expect Washington to use the night primarily as an evaluation opportunity.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 14, in Landover, Maryland. The game will be televised locally on WUSA9. Washington then travels to Detroit for a noon kickoff Aug. 22 before closing the preseason at Baltimore at 6 p.m. Aug. 28.
The biggest question remains how many established starters Dan Quinn will actually use against Miami.
As of Thursday afternoon, Quinn had not publicly announced a complete list of starters who will play or sit. Washington already received extensive first-team work against Miami during Wednesday’s joint practice, and Quinn said earlier in the week that the coaching staff would determine the preseason participation plan after evaluating that session.
That means fans should be careful about assuming Jayden Daniels, Terry McLaurin, Stefon Diggs or Washington’s other established starters will receive significant snaps.
What Washington does know is that several players have already been ruled out, while other roster battles should receive plenty of attention.
Game Information
Miami Dolphins at Washington Commanders
Date: Friday, Aug. 14, 2026
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
Location: Northwest Stadium, Landover, Maryland
TV: WUSA9 locally
Preseason: Week 1
Washington’s official schedule confirms Friday’s 7 p.m. kickoff.
Who Will Not Play for Washington?
There are several confirmed absences.
Laremy Tunsil
Tunsil will obviously not play after suffering a torn triceps during training camp.
The injury has created perhaps the biggest concern surrounding the Commanders entering the preseason. ESPN reported that Tunsil is expected to be sidelined for a significant period, while Washington has moved Brandon Coleman back to left tackle.
Coleman has experience there, but losing Tunsil dramatically changes Washington’s offensive-line outlook.
Friday could therefore be especially valuable for Coleman and Washington’s reserve tackles.
Nick Allegretti
Quinn has confirmed that Nick Allegretti will not play Friday.
Allegretti has been dealing with a calf injury and has missed roughly two weeks of practice. Quinn indicated that Washington expects him back when the team returns to practice Sunday.
That makes the center position one of the most important spots to follow against Miami.
Washington currently lists Allegretti first on its unofficial depth chart, followed by Julian Good-Jones, Matt Gulbin, Daniel Brunskill and Trey Hill.
Expect the backups to receive valuable work.
Trey Amos
Second-year cornerback Trey Amos will also sit out Friday’s game.
Amos has been dealing with an ankle injury after landing awkwardly during practice. Quinn said Washington planned to reevaluate him before Sunday’s practice.
Amos had already worked his way back from an earlier leg issue, so Washington has little reason to push him during the preseason opener.
Deatrich Wise Jr.
Veteran defensive end Deatrich Wise Jr. remains on the active/PUP list, meaning he will not participate while he remains there. Washington’s current roster lists Wise separately from the active roster.
What About Jayden Daniels?
This will be the question most Commanders fans ask Friday afternoon.
As of Thursday, Washington had not officially announced whether Daniels will play.
That distinction matters.
Daniels is healthy and has been practicing. He was excellent during Wednesday’s joint session against Miami, completing several impressive throws and repeatedly connecting with Washington’s revamped receiving corps. ESPN reported that Daniels hit Stefon Diggs for a red-zone touchdown, found Treylon Burks for another score and also connected with Van Jefferson on several impressive throws.
Washington’s official report painted a similar picture, noting that the Commanders’ receivers performed extremely well against Miami’s defensive backs.
Because Daniels already received meaningful work against Miami’s first-team defense Wednesday, Quinn could decide those repetitions were enough.
If Daniels does play, it would not be surprising to see him get only one or two series.
There is little reason for Washington to expose its franchise quarterback to unnecessary preseason hits, particularly with Tunsil unavailable.
Marcus Mariota Should Have an Important Role
Whether Daniels plays or not, Marcus Mariota figures to be one of the most important quarterbacks Friday.
Washington’s current depth chart lists:
QB1: Jayden Daniels
QB2: Marcus Mariota
QB3: Sam Hartman
QB4: Athan Kaliakmanis
Mariota looked productive during Wednesday’s joint practice, throwing consecutive red-zone touchdown passes to Jaden Bradley and Nick Nash.
If Washington sits Daniels, Mariota could start.
If Daniels plays briefly, Mariota should still receive meaningful snaps before Washington turns things over to Hartman and Kaliakmanis.
The preseason becomes particularly important for the latter two.
Hartman has already spent time in Washington’s system, while Kaliakmanis is a rookie out of Rutgers. Both will be trying to show they can operate the offense efficiently enough to warrant developmental consideration.
The Commanders’ Updated Receiver Room Looks Very Different
Washington’s receiver group has changed dramatically.
The most important addition is Stefon Diggs, whom Washington officially signed Aug. 7. Diggs enters his 12th NFL season after catching 85 passes for 1,013 yards and four touchdowns for New England in 2025.
That creates a potentially dangerous combination with Terry McLaurin.
Behind those veterans, however, there is plenty to determine.
Washington’s current depth chart includes:
Terry McLaurin
Stefon Diggs
Luke McCaffrey
Dyami Brown
Van Jefferson
Treylon Burks
Jaylin Lane
Antonio Williams
River Cracraft
Nick Nash
Jacoby Jones
Jaden Bradley
That is a crowded room.
Friday could begin separating the final few roster spots.
Treylon Burks Is Becoming One of Camp’s Biggest Stories
Burks may have as much to gain Friday as any offensive player.
The former Tennessee Titans first-round pick has impressed Washington throughout camp.
Quinn has praised Burks after he arrived lighter and more explosive, and Wednesday provided additional evidence.
Burks made an impressive contested catch during one-on-one drills and later caught a deep touchdown from Daniels.
Washington does not need Burks to become a No. 1 receiver.
With McLaurin and Diggs already present, it needs Burks to become a physical complementary weapon.
Friday provides his first game opportunity to strengthen that argument.
Antonio Williams Could Push for Significant Playing Time
Rookie Antonio Williams is another receiver worth watching.
The Clemson product has repeatedly generated positive reports during training camp.
Against Miami on Wednesday, Williams created significant separation during receiver-defensive back drills and later caught a touchdown during red-zone work.
Washington used a third-round pick on Williams.
That investment already gives him a strong chance of making the roster, but preseason games can determine how large his offensive role becomes.
If Washington protects McLaurin and Diggs Friday, Williams could see plenty of targets.
Running Back Battle Begins for Real
Washington has several legitimate options at running back.
The current depth chart lists Jacory Croskey-Merritt first, followed by Rachaad White, with Jeremy McNichols, Kaytron Allen, Jerome Ford and Robert Henry Jr. also on the roster.
This is exactly the type of competition preseason games can settle.
Croskey-Merritt showed promise as a rookie and enters camp as the initial No. 1 option.
White brings substantial NFL experience.
Allen is an intriguing rookie out of Penn State.
Ford also has extensive NFL experience.
The final decision will involve more than rushing yards. Pass protection, receiving ability and special teams could determine who survives roster cuts.
Offensive Line Is the Biggest Unit to Watch
Washington’s offensive line deserves more attention than perhaps any position group Friday.
Tunsil’s injury changed everything.
The Commanders are shifting Brandon Coleman back to left tackle, where he previously started extensively. Quinn has expressed confidence that Coleman’s offseason development prepared him to handle the transition.
Washington’s current line configuration includes Chris Paul at left guard, Nick Allegretti at center when healthy, Sam Cosmi at right guard and Josh Conerly Jr. at right tackle.
But Allegretti will not play Friday.
That means players such as Good-Jones and Gulbin could get important center repetitions, while Washington will also evaluate Andrew Wylie, Trent Scott, Nicholas Petit-Frere, Foster Sarell, Trey Hill, Tanoa Togiai and others.
Miami already exposed some vulnerabilities Wednesday.
The Dolphins generated pressure throughout portions of the joint session, with Chop Robinson creating problems around the edge.
Preseason football does not always tell coaches much about veteran stars.
It can tell them a lot about backup offensive linemen.
Chig Okonkwo Gives Washington a New-Look Tight End Group
Washington also has a different tight end room.
Former Maryland standout Chig Okonkwo sits atop one tight end position on the unofficial depth chart, with Ben Sinnott behind him. John Bates heads another grouping, followed by Colson Yankoff and Quentin Moore.
Bates has been dealing with a hamstring injury and ESPN still listed him as questionable entering the game.
That could create additional opportunities for Yankoff, Moore and Lawrence Cager.
Yankoff has already become an interesting developmental player because of his versatility and special-teams ability.
Joshua Josephs Is a Defender to Circle
One of Washington’s most intriguing rookies is Joshua Josephs.
The fifth-round pick out of Tennessee has repeatedly flashed during training camp as an edge rusher.
Washington’s current roster has Josephs among a deep group that includes Odafe Oweh, K’Lavon Chaisson, Dorance Armstrong, Drake Jackson and Javontae Jean-Baptiste.
Josephs does not need to become a starter immediately.
He needs to prove he can provide situational pressure.
Preseason games should give him plenty of opportunities.
K’Lavon Chaisson Has Been Disruptive
Do not overlook Chaisson.
The veteran had an outstanding joint practice Wednesday.
Washington reported that Chaisson repeatedly penetrated Miami’s backfield, including what would have been a sack of quarterback Malik Willis and another tackle near the line of scrimmage.
Washington’s pass rush could look considerably different this season with Oweh and Chaisson operating from the edges.
How much either veteran plays Friday remains uncertain, but the depth behind them should receive extensive work.
Mike Sainristil Looks Ready for Another Step
Mike Sainristil produced perhaps Washington’s biggest defensive highlight Wednesday.
Miami quarterback Malik Willis attempted a short pass toward the flat, but Sainristil diagnosed the play, jumped the route and returned the interception for a touchdown.
Sainristil is already an established defensive contributor.
Washington therefore has little reason to give him extensive preseason snaps.
But his performance Wednesday was another encouraging indication for a secondary that needs to create more turnovers in 2026.
Rookie Sonny Styles Is Worth Watching
Washington’s first-round pick, Sonny Styles, could become one of the most important additions to the defense.
The former Ohio State linebacker is currently listed on Washington’s active roster and has been receiving significant work during camp.
Styles joins a linebacker group that includes Frankie Luvu, Leo Chenal, Jordan Magee, Kain Medrano and recently signed Curtis Jacobs.
Washington signed Jacobs on Tuesday after he previously appeared in 12 NFL games with New England and Tennessee.
If Washington limits Luvu and its established veterans, Styles could be one of the highest-profile young defenders on the field Friday.
New Defensive Pieces Make Friday Worth Watching
Washington’s defense has undergone considerable change.
The current roster includes:
Daron Payne
Jer’Zhan Newton
Javon Kinlaw
Tim Settle
Shy Tuttle
Charles Omenihu
Byron Cowart
Odafe Oweh
K’Lavon Chaisson
Frankie Luvu
Leo Chenal
Sonny Styles
Mike Sainristil
Amik Robertson
Rasul Douglas
Nick Cross
Quan Martin
Jeremy Reaves and others.
Cowart was one of Washington’s most recent additions, signing Tuesday as the Commanders continued adjusting their defensive-line depth.
The preseason opener will be the first opportunity to see many of those new combinations in a real game.
The Kicking Battle Is Real
Washington currently has Jake Moody and rookie Drew Stevens competing at kicker.
The team’s online depth chart still lists Moody as the first kicker, while Stevens remains on the active roster.
This is one position where every preseason opportunity matters.
Practice percentages are important.
Making a 45-yard field goal in front of a stadium crowd with a live rush is different.
If both kickers receive opportunities Friday, those attempts should be treated as one of the legitimate roster competitions of the night.
Tress Way Is Back
There is better news at punter.
Veteran Tress Way has been activated from the active/non-football injury list after dealing with a pectoral issue. Washington activated Way Aug. 7.
Matt Haack remains on the active roster as an additional punter.
Whether Washington needs to give Way extensive preseason work is another question.
Miami’s Quarterback Situation
Miami is beginning a new era under head coach Jeff Hafley.
Malik Willis has been receiving prominent quarterback work during camp and handled much of Miami’s offense against Washington during Wednesday’s joint practice.
Willis showed his mobility but also threw the interception that Sainristil returned for a touchdown.
Miami also has Quinn Ewers among its quarterbacks, making the Dolphins’ quarterback rotation one of the more interesting aspects of Friday’s game.
Like Washington, Miami had not publicly provided a complete snap-by-snap participation plan as of Thursday afternoon.
De’Von Achane Probably Does Not Need Much Work
Miami’s biggest offensive weapon remains De’Von Achane.
Achane was recently ranked No. 26 in the NFL Top 100 voting, and Miami has little incentive to expose one of its most valuable offensive players to a heavy preseason workload.
How Hafley handles his established veterans will significantly affect the early portion of Friday’s game.
The meaningful battles may begin once both teams remove their first-team players.
What Wednesday Told Us
The joint practice might ultimately provide a better evaluation of Washington’s starting units than Friday’s game.
Daniels looked comfortable.
Diggs and McLaurin consistently won their matchups.
Burks continued his strong camp.
Williams made plays.
Washington’s pass rush repeatedly disrupted Miami.
Sainristil created a turnover.
Those were all encouraging signs.
Friday is about the next group.
Ten Commanders MSB Will Be Watching
Treylon Burks — WR: Can his strong camp carry over to game action?
Antonio Williams — WR: The rookie continues making plays.
Sam Hartman — QB: Preseason snaps could determine his developmental future.
Athan Kaliakmanis — QB: The rookie quarterback should get his first NFL game experience.
Kaytron Allen — RB: He has an opportunity in a crowded running back room.
Brandon Coleman — OT: Washington suddenly needs him at left tackle.
Matt Gulbin — C: Allegretti’s absence creates an opportunity.
Joshua Josephs — OLB: One of Washington’s most intriguing young pass rushers.
Sonny Styles — LB: The first-round pick begins his first NFL preseason.
Drew Stevens — K: Every kick matters in his battle with Moody.
Confirmed Commanders Absences
The clearest known absences entering Friday are:
Laremy Tunsil — torn triceps
Nick Allegretti — calf
Trey Amos — ankle
Deatrich Wise Jr. — active/PUP
John Bates remains a player whose status should be watched because of his hamstring injury.
Washington could also elect to rest healthy veterans.
That is different from being injured.
As of Thursday afternoon, Quinn had not issued a complete public list of healthy veterans who will sit.
MSB Prediction
The scoreboard is secondary Friday.
Washington’s biggest objectives should be protecting Daniels if he plays, evaluating its offensive-line depth, identifying the final receivers and running backs who deserve roster spots and getting extended looks at players such as Josephs, Styles, Williams and Allen.
Wednesday demonstrated that Washington’s starting units can compete with Miami.
Friday should show how deep the roster really is.
Maryland Sports Blog prediction: Commanders 23, Dolphins 17.
Do not be surprised if that prediction becomes meaningless by halftime.
That is preseason football.
For Daniels, McLaurin, Diggs, Payne and Washington’s established stars, the goal is simply to reach September healthy.
For dozens of players further down the roster, Friday night could help decide whether they are still Commanders when August ends.
Those are the players who make the preseason worth watching.
