Commanders 20, Dolphins 7: Willis's Opening Drive, Then Mariota Exits

August 14, 2026 - Landover - Malik Willis's first series as a Miami Dolphins quarterback went 14 plays, 93 yards, and ended with De'Von Achane from a yard. Then the night belonged to the Washington Commanders' backups. Final: 20-7. Jayden Daniels did not play. Marcus Mariota lasted four snaps and left with a leg injury.

Miami signed Willis after releasing Tua Tagovailoa, who started Friday in Atlanta. The opening drive was the part Miami will put on the camp tape. The next three quarterbacks were the part it will not.

Willis and Achane, then the rest of the night

Willis went 4-of-5 for 43 yards and ran twice for 9. The throw that showed up in the recap was 28 yards to rookie Caleb Douglas, one-handed, over Antonio Hamilton Sr. Almost none of Washington's defensive starters played. "He surprised me," Willis said of the catch. "When he went up with one hand, I was like, 'Oh, oh?' That was nice."

Achane played only that series: 7 carries, 39 yards, the touchdown. "Just the consistency of the guys out there, keeping up the energy and the execution all the way down the field," Willis said.

Quinn Ewers went 1-of-8 for 27 yards and an interception. Cam Miller went 3-of-11 for 39 yards and two picks. Miami finished with 226 yards, 3-of-12 on third down, and one score. That is what happens when the first unit leaves and the ball does not.

Mariota down, Hartman uneven, the backs finish it

Mariota completed a 22-yarder to Dyami Brown, took a hit from Tyrel Dodson, then went down on a non-contact play while handing to Kaytron Allen. He walked off, talked with Daniels and coordinator David Blough, and went to the locker room. Dan Quinn, who sat Daniels and two dozen healthy players, had no timeline. "We'll evaluate the (injured) guys (Saturday) and have a good sense for what's ahead for the week."

Sam Hartman replaced him: 8-of-15, 80 yards, one interception. Athan Kaliakmanis went 6-of-10 for 87 yards. The scoring was on the ground. Jake Moody hit a 29-yard field goal. Robert Henry Jr. ran 22 yards for a touchdown. Allen punched in from a yard before half. Drew Stevens added a 41-yarder in the fourth.

Allen: 23 carries, 85 yards, one TD. Henry: 12 carries, 75 yards, one TD. Washington 334 yards, 8-of-17 on third down. The Commanders did not need Daniels to beat Miami's second and third units. They did need to find out if Mariota is available next week.

AthX Engine, if this were a regular-season card

Apply the AthX Engine NFL scoring table to the box, not a live weekly leaderboard.

Achane's 39 rush yards and touchdown is about 16 running-back fantasy points. Allen's 85 yards and score is about 27. Henry's 75 and a TD is about 25. Willis's 43 pass yards and 9 rush yards is about 6 quarterback points without a passing TD. Preseason lines are not live weekly boards yet. Fantasy points are not share prices.

Track Daniels, Achane, and the Commanders on the marketplace.

*Sources: ESPN recap. Information only; not financial advice.*