The Washington Commanders defeat the Miami Dolphins 20-7 in a Friday night preseason opener. Malik Willis, making his debut as Miami’s new quarterback, leads a 14-play, 93-yard drive that ends in a touchdown. Washington’s other scoring comes as the Dolphins struggle to build sustained offense after the early touchdown.
Marcus Mariota starts for the Commanders but plays only four snaps before leaving the game with a leg injury. Multiple accounts describe the injury as happening on a non-contact play while Mariota hands the ball off to Kaytron Allen. The injury ends his appearance early, and the backup play continues for Washington during the remainder of the preseason matchup.
Across the reports, the agreed-upon focus is the final score, Willis’s early touchdown drive for Miami, and the circumstances of Mariota’s departure due to the leg injury.
