Miami's practice displayed a high-octane mix of pass-happy concepts and line-discipline, led by Tagovailoa and Hill with a retooled offensive line anchored by Borom and Strange. Hayden Rucci flashed as a real tight end option, while the defense — with Minkah Fitzpatrick and Rasul Douglas — stressed matchup pressure. Early signals point to Hill as the engine of the aerial attack and Tagovailoa as a weekly fantasy staple when rhythm is clean.

Week 1 expectations hinge on Hill's target share and Tua's timing, plus the line’s ability to sustain clean pockets. Rucci’s role could widen the short-yardage and red-zone window, while Borom and Strange help stabilize protection. The Dolphins’ secondary presents a test, but Fitzpatrick’s presence offers a floor for the unit. Overall, this session suggests Hill remains a top-tier weekly option and Tagovailoa a high-ceiling quarterback when the offense clicks.

Riley Patterson steps in as Miami’s kicker after Jason Sanders hits IR, the first of up to three practice-squad elevations to fill the Week 1 gap at Indianapolis. Jeff Wilson Jr. slides into a bigger backfield role with Jaylen Wright sidelined, giving the Dolphins a steadier option behind Mostert. With Darren Waller out, Julian Hill and Tanner Conner are the two on the active TE depth chart, while Hayden Rucci and Greg Dulcich loom as potential roster moves to keep the offense versatile.

If Miami adds another tight end, Alec Ingold’s workload could shift and two-TE packages might dip, reshaping Week 1 attack plans at Lucas Oil Stadium. The key for fantasy managers is monitoring how the kicking, backfield, and TE usage evolve as final roster decisions loom before kickoff.

The Miami Dolphins have had a challenging season, utilizing 71 different players, ranking them sixth in the NFL for player turnover. This includes a mix of starters and practice squad members, reflecting the team's dynamic roster changes as they navigate injuries and performance issues.

As they prepare for their Week 14 matchup, fans can review a comprehensive list of transactions, highlighting player signings, elevations, and injuries that have shaped the team's strategy throughout the season.

The Miami Dolphins' tight ends coach Jon Embree humorously reflected on a lengthy touchdown drought for his position group, which finally ended with Jonnu Smith's touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts. This marked the Dolphins' first tight end touchdown since January 2023, breaking a streak that lasted through the entire 2023 season.

Smith, who struggled early in the season, has recently found his rhythm, contributing significantly to the offense. With the return of starter Tua Tagovailoa, the Dolphins hope to build on this momentum. Meanwhile, tight end Julian Hill has been making strides, but penalties have been a concern for the unit.