Commanders' concerns mount as Taylor Heinicke struggles in joint practice against Dolphins' defense
Washington Commanders quarterback Taylor Heinicke's struggles in the joint practice against the Miami Dolphins' defense have raised concerns about the team's ability to move the ball effectively.
The Washington Commanders held the first of their two joint practices this summer, hosting the Miami Dolphins in Ashburn on Wednesday. The two teams face off in their first preseason game on Friday at Northwest Stadium.
A source close to the team confirmed that Taylor Heinicke's performance was a major area of concern during the joint practice. The quarterback has been struggling to find his footing in the new offense, and his accuracy has been off. The Commanders' coaching staff is likely to be working with Heinicke to address these issues ahead of the preseason game.
Jayden Daniels, the Commanders' backup quarterback, has been impressing in practice, moving the ball up and down the field and finding multiple weapons. His accuracy this summer has been elite. Daniels' performance is a testament to the work he has been putting in to learn the new offense.
The Commanders' rebuilt defense, on the other hand, smothered the Dolphins' offense, putting pressure on quarterback Malik Willis and covering up the Dolphins' receivers. The Commanders' defense has been a bright spot for the team this summer, and it will be interesting to see how they perform in the preseason game.
There are concerns about the Commanders' center position, with Nick Allegretti entering his eighth NFL season in 2026. Allegretti has plenty of experience, but most of that experience is at guard. The Commanders had their way on Wednesday, but Washington's center position had its struggles. Allegretti strained his calf on the first day of training camp and has yet to return.
The Commanders' running game could also struggle, as the Dolphins handled the interior of the Commanders' offensive line on Wednesday. Left guard Chris Paul still has a ways to go as a run blocker. Washington employing a zone blocking scheme should help things, but the success of the running game will depend on Allegretti's return to health.
Josh Conerly Jr.'s performance at right tackle was also a concern, as he got beaten badly on one play and committed a penalty. However, he made up for his rough start, and the good news is that Brandon Coleman looked really good for the most part.
The Commanders' preseason game against the Dolphins is scheduled for Friday at Northwest Stadium. The team will be looking to address their concerns and put on a strong performance in front of their fans.
Source: Yahoo Sports