Dolphins Prepare for Primetime Matchup with Bengals

The Miami Dolphins look to stay undefeated as they head to Cincinnati to face off against the Bengals Thursday night. If Tua Tagovailoa plays, this will mark the first ever meeting between the top two quarterbacks selected in the 2020 NFL draft as Joe Burrow was taken by the Bengals.

Tyreek Hill calls out Bengals corner Eli Apple

Following the Dolphins comeback win over the Bills last week, Tyreek Hill was asked about his upcoming match up with the Bengals.

Hill became very animated when learning of the Dolphins match up. He was specifically excited to face off against Bengals cornerback Eli Apple. Hill, probably still feeling the sting of the Bengals knocking his former team out the playoffs last season, called out Apple by saying, “I owe you!”

Through three weeks, Hill is third in the NFL in receiving yards with 317.

Dolphins Stars Battling Injuries

The Dolphins had 15 players on the injury report released Wednesday.

One player listed was Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. He suffered a back injury late in the first half of the Dolphins win against the Bills on Sunday. He finished the game, but it was discovered later that Tagovailoa was dealing with back and ankle discomfort for a majority of the second half on Sunday.

Tagovailoa was a limited participant in practice on Tuesday and Wednesday, and is questionable to play on Thursday.

Another key Dolphin listed on the injury report is star wide receiver Jaylen Waddle. He is dealing with a groin injury and was a limited participant in practice on Tuesday and Wednesday. Waddle is currently listed as questionable for Thursday’s game.

It would be a huge blow to the Fins offense if Waddle is unable to play, as he is currently second in the NFL in receiving yards with 342.

Although seven Dolphins are listed as questionable, coach Mike McDaniel expects “most, if not all,” to play Thursday in Cincinnati.

McDaniel’s early success

In Mike McDaniel’s first three games as the Dolphins head coach he has already made a significant impact.

He started by defeating two Super Bowl winning head coaches in Bill Belichick and John Harbaugh. Then he proceeded to take down the Buffalo Bills, who have absolutely owned the Dolphins in recent years.

It doesn’t get any easier from here, as the Dolphins travel to Cincinnati to take on the defending AFC champions on Thursday night.

A win Thursday would mark the Dolphins first 4-0 start since 1995.

Kickoff is set for 8:15 Thursday night at Paycor Stadium.

 

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