Tua Tagovailoa of the Miami Dolphins hands the ball off to Malik Washington
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Tua Tagovailoa of the Miami Dolphins hands the ball off to Malik Washington
The Miami Dolphins had a promising opening drive to begin the 2025 preseason against the Chicago Bears. But one player in particular dominated the field from start to end, and that player is second-year receiver Malik Washington.
Washington got to work before the offense even took the field. Miami’s defense forced a punt after making the Bears go three and out in their first possession, and back deep to return was Washington. The receiver fielded the punt 50 yards down field at the Phins 23, a burst of speed and a broken arm tackle saw Washington gain 19 yards to give his team excellent field position in it’s first drive of the contest.
Now on offense and aligned to the outside of the formation, Washington caught each and every one of starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s first four pass attempts.
Tagovailoa found the second year wide out on second-and-ten, then once again on third-and-seven to bring the down and distance to a manageable fourth-and-three. On fourth down, at mid field in a got to have it play, Tagovailoa once again looked Washington’s way, trusting the young wideouts hands on a short out. Washington toe tapped the sideline a few yards north of the marker to reset the chains.
After finally attempting to target a receiver not named Malik Washington and failing, Tua went back to his security blanket for a gain of five. It was Washington’s fourth catch of the opening drive.
Then, to put the cherry on top of an impressive outing, Washington received a hand off on an end around rushing attempt. A gain of eight on the creative call solidified what we had already inferred from the opening drive, Mike McDaniels has unlocked a new weapon in the Dolphins’ receiving room.