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The NFL has changed the schedule for the 2021 season, essentially turning a preseason game into a regular season contest, giving each team 17 games over the course of the regular season. The move, however, shortened the preseason to three games (plus the Hall of Fame game for two teams). How do teams use the preseason to prepare? What game will the “dress rehearsal” game be? And, do you play your starters in the first game of preseason, a traditionally heavy competition of deep and bubble players?
Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores appeared to answer the final question Wednesday when he spoke to the media ahead of the team’s joint practice with the Chicago Bears. Miami and Chicago meet on Saturday in the first preseason game of the year for the two clubs. “The guys are going to play,” Flores said. “I think right now, with two days of training against Chicago, we haven’t yet finalized exactly, ‘Hey, you’re going to play that much or that much.’ But yeah, we do expect (quarterback) Tua (Tagovailoa) to play. Really, we want everyone to get some shots in the game; but as far as how many, right now, we’re in. sort of focused on today and practice today.
He added that the coaching staff will determine exactly how much playing time each player takes, explaining, “We will talk more about that as staff tonight and tomorrow. Probably more likely tomorrow night.
The Dolphins and Bears will hold a second joint practice Thursday before a day off Friday. Kicks off Saturday at 1 p.m. ET and will air locally in Miami on CBS and nationally on NFL Network.
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