MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — The Miami Dolphins were routed 26-3 by the New York Giants on Saturday in their preseason home opener at Hard Rock Stadium, which kicked off the venue’s 40th season of football.

Miami won the toss and elected to receive, but the offense immediately struggled. Quarterback Cam Miller got the start and led the Dolphins to a three-and-out after a pass intended for Kevin Coleman Jr. was broken up.

The struggles continued throughout the game. Miami managed just 102 total yards compared with 390 for New York, and the Dolphins repeatedly failed to sustain drives.

The majority of Miami’s starters were not in uniform, including De’Von Achane, Malik Washington, Jordan Brooks, Tyrel Dodson, Patrick Paul, Aaron Brewer, Jonah Savaiinaea, Austin Jackson, Jordan Phillips, Kenneth Grant and Zach Sieler. Quarterback Malik Willis also did not suit up.

But with head coach Jeff Hafley asking backups and third-string players to “earn” their spots on the roster, the lack of production from Miami’s reserves remained a major concern.

The Giants opened the scoring after linebacker Trey Moore went down with what appeared to be a lower-body injury following pressure on Jameis Winston.

Moore had to be carried to the sideline by Dolphins trainers and was unable to return to the game. On the next play, Winston kept the ball and scored on an 11-yard touchdown run to put New York ahead 6-0.

Miller later delivered one of Miami’s few offensive highlights, finding Coleman for a 30-yard pass. Coleman made an impressive one-handed catch and drew a pass interference penalty on the play.

However, that drive ended when running back Jaylen Wright fumbled after juking left and colliding with a Giants defensive lineman. New York recovered.

The Dolphins defense eventually got a break when running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. fumbled a handoff, with linebacker Jackson Woodard recovering for Miami. But the offense could not capitalize, producing another three-and-out.

Winston later connected with Darius Slayton for a 28-yard gain before finding tight end Theo Johnson for another first down. New York eventually settled for a 43-yard field goal from Dominic Zvada to take a 10-0 lead.

The Giants extended the advantage when Devin Singletary broke through Miami’s defense for a 13-yard touchdown run, making it 17-0.

Miami finally got on the scoreboard late in the first half when Riley Patterson drilled a 53-yard field goal to cut the deficit to 17-3. New York answered with another Zvada field goal, this one from 32 yards, to take a 20-3 lead into halftime.

The second half did little to change the game’s trajectory.

Miami’s defense made a few plays, including a sack by defensive linemen Seth Coleman-Lyles and Cam Rice on Brandon Allen that helped force a Giants punt. But the Dolphins offense continued to struggle and was forced to punt from its own 1-yard line on another possession.

Things got worse when quarterback Mark Gronowski dropped a snap from center Josh Priebe. New York added two more field goals from Ben Sauls, from 37 and 27 yards, to push the lead to 26-3.

Miami also dealt with injuries to linebacker Trey Moore and running back Ollie Gordon II. Gordon was seen walking into the tunnel under his own power while accompanied by a trainer.

Late in the game, Tahj Washington fumbled a punt return, giving the Giants possession at the Miami 11-yard line. New York did not add to its lead, however, as quarterback Jake Haener took a knee to end the game.

Miller finished 6 of 11 passing for 60 yards. Through three quarters, Coleman had 31 receiving yards, more than every other Dolphins receiver combined.

The 26-3 loss marked another difficult preseason performance for Miami. While the absence of so many starters provides context, the continued struggles from the backups and third-string players are becoming increasingly concerning as the Dolphins evaluate their roster.

Up next

The Dolphins (0-2) will host the Atlanta Falcons (0-1) on Friday at 7 p.m.

The game will mark the return of former Miami starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa to Hard Rock Stadium, although it remains unclear whether he will suit up for the game.

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