With a 24-14 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers , the Miami Dolphins have officially wrapped up their preseason schedule and head towards the 2024 regular season. But before they get there, they have to trim the roster from 90 down to the 53-man regular season roster limit. Players got one final opportunity to state their case in a live game, and there were several Dolphins reserves who made a strong case Friday night.
Malik Washington
Wide receiver Malik Washington came into Friday night’s game against the Bucs with his work cut out for him. The Dolphins have a crowded receivers room already, but the job was potentially made easier for Washington with a rash of injuries lately, including to Erik Ezukanma , River Cracraft, and the persistent injury to Odell Beckham, Jr .
Washington came in likely competing with Ezukanma for potentially only one spot, maybe two if Beckham, Jr. isn’t able to avoid the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list to start the season. Limited spots or not, Washington came out Friday night and proved the Dolphins should find room for him on the roster.
Washington didn’t make much of an impact on the game from a receiving aspect, but more so with his contributions in other ways. Washington excelled in his role as a return specialist, turning in a couple of impressive returns in both areas. Washington also showed his explosion on a hand-off, turning an end-around run into a 40-yard gain…