Return Practice Signals Full Offense for the Miami Dolphins

The Miami Dolphins’ Week 3 return to practice following the preseason bye marked a pivotal moment for their offense: for the first time in 2028, every key playmaker—from wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle to running back De’Von Achane and tight end Elijah Higgins—took the field together, signaling the activation of the team’s “full offense” ahead of their regular-season opener against the New England Patriots. After weeks of managing injuries and limiting reps for star players, Wednesday’s practice was a showcase of the Dolphins’ offensive depth and versatility, with coordinator Frank Smith running complex, multi-facet plays that integrated every position group. For a team aiming to contend for the AFC title, this return practice wasn’t just a routine workout—it was a statement that their full offensive firepower is finally ready to be unleashed. Return Practice Signals Full Offense for the Miami Dolphins breaks down how this practice highlighted the offense’s complete potential and what it means for the Dolphins’ upcoming season.

A defining feature of the return practice was the seamless integration of previously sidelined players into the offensive scheme. Achane, who missed the first two preseason games with a hamstring tweak, looked sharp in team drills, carrying the ball eight times for 45 yards (including a 15-yard burst up the middle) and catching two passes out of the backfield. Waddle, who had been limited to individual drills due to an ankle sprain, participated fully in 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 work, hauling in a 30-yard touchdown pass from Tua Tagovailoa where he beat Patriots cornerback Jonathan Jones in one-on-one coverage. Even backup running back Raheem Mostert, who rested during the bye, returned to form, teaming with Achane in a two-back set that confused the defense and opened up passing lanes for Hill. “Having everyone back changes everything,” Tagovailoa said after practice. “We’ve been practicing with pieces of the offense all preseason, but today we finally got to run the plays we’ve drawn up in the playbook—with every player in the right spot. It felt like clicking a puzzle into place.” Return Practice Signals Full Offense for the Miami Dolphins frames this player integration as the core of the “full offense” signal.

Another key indicator of the full offense was the diversity of plays run during practice, which showcased the Dolphins’ ability to attack defenses in multiple ways. Smith didn’t rely on simple passing or running schemes; instead, he called hybrid plays that blended elements of both—like a zone-read option where Tagovailoa faked a handoff to Achane before rolling out and hitting Higgins for a 10-yard gain, or a jet sweep to Hill that morphed into a screen pass to Mostert. The offense also utilized three-wide receiver sets (Hill, Waddle, and rookie sixth-round pick Josh Palmer) alongside two-tight end formations (Higgins and Durham Smythe), forcing the defense to constantly adjust personnel. In red-zone drills, the Dolphins were particularly impressive, scoring on four of five attempts using different strategies: a run by Achane, a fade pass to Waddle, a slant to Hill, and a short touchdown catch by Smythe. “We don’t want to be a one-trick pony,” Smith explained. “Today, we showed that we can beat defenses on the ground, through the air, in the slot, or in the red zone—whatever it takes to win. That’s what a full offense looks like.” Return Practice Signals Full Offense for the Miami Dolphins explores how play diversity defines the team’s offensive identity.

For the Miami Dolphins, the return practice’s focus on a full offense is a direct response to defensive strategies they’ll face in the regular season, especially from division rivals like the Patriots and Bills. Last season, opponents often shut down the Dolphins’ offense by double-teaming Hill and Waddle, forcing Tagovailoa to rely on unproven targets. But with a full offense—including a healthy running game and productive tight ends—defenses can no longer afford to focus solely on the wide receivers. During practice, the Dolphins simulated this scenario: when the defense double-teamed Hill, Tagovailoa quickly dumped the ball to Achane for a gain; when they shifted coverage to Waddle, he found Higgins over the middle. This adaptability will be crucial against the Patriots, who have one of the NFL’s top pass defenses but struggle against balanced offenses. “We saw what happened last year when defenses keyed on Tyreek and Jaylen,” Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel said. “This year, with a full offense, we’re giving Tua options. If one playmaker is covered, another one will be open. That’s how you keep defenses guessing.” For the Miami Dolphins, the full offense isn’t just about scoring more points—it’s about making the offense more resilient against top-tier defenses. Return Practice Signals Full Offense for the Miami Dolphins examines how this approach counters opposing game plans.

The return practice also highlighted the improved chemistry between Tagovailoa and the entire offense, a result of months of offseason work and the finally completed roster. Tagovailoa looked more confident than in previous practices, completing 21 of 25 passes for 280 yards and three touchdowns in 11-on-11 drills. What stood out most was his ability to quickly read the defense and distribute the ball to the open playmaker—whether it was Hill on a deep route, Waddle in the slot, Achane out of the backfield, or Higgins over the middle. After practice, Tagovailoa credited the full roster for his success: “When everyone is healthy and on the same page, my job gets easier. I don’t have to force passes to one player because there are multiple options. Today, I just threw the ball to the open guy, and they made plays.” This chemistry was especially evident in a two-minute drill, where the Dolphins marched 80 yards down the field in 55 seconds, with Tagovailoa connecting with four different players to set up a game-winning field goal. For the Miami Dolphins, this level of coordination is essential for late-game situations and playoff matchups, where every play counts. Return Practice Signals Full Offense for the Miami Dolphins highlights how team chemistry elevates the full offense’s effectiveness.

While the return practice was a strong indicator of the Dolphins’ full offense, coaches and players are quick to note that work still remains to fine-tune the unit before the regular season. During practice, there were minor hiccups: a miscommunication between Tagovailoa and Palmer led to an incomplete pass, and the offensive line allowed two sacks in pass-rushing drills. McDaniel emphasized that these issues are normal and will be addressed in upcoming practices. The team also plans to use the final preseason game to give the full offense more reps together, focusing on situational football like third downs and red zones. “Today was a great step, but it’s just one step,” McDaniel said. “We need to keep practicing, fixing mistakes, and building on this momentum. A full offense doesn’t stay sharp by accident—it takes work every day.” For the Miami Dolphins, the return practice was a promising start, but the true test will come in the regular season, when they face real-game pressure and opposing defenses looking to exploit any weaknesses. Return Practice Signals Full Offense for the Miami Dolphins concludes by noting that while the team has shown its full offensive potential, consistency will be key to turning that potential into wins and a deep playoff run.