MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. -- The Miami Dolphins' final joint practice of the summer was a mixed bag, depending on whom you ask.
The Dolphins hosted the New York Giants on Thursday, in what Giants linebacker Brian Burns called a "dominant" showing for the visitors. The Giants' pass rush, led by Burns, Abdul Carter, Kayvon Thibodeaux and Chauncey Golston, combined for at least six sacks Thursday in addition to several pressures.
Giants coach John Harbaugh referred to his team's pass rush as "ferocious," while Dolphins center Aaron Brewer thought Thursday's practice was "good competition."
"I felt like it was a good battle. They had some wins, we had some wins," he said. "So I feel like it was just some good competition out there. Once I watch the tape, I'll see how we did overall, but it felt like a solid day."
Thursday marked the second of two joint practices the Dolphins scheduled for this preseason, following last week's practice with the Washington Commanders.
With the NFL's youngest team in terms of average age, the Dolphins' focus during these practices isn't necessarily on winning the day. First-year coach Jeff Hafley said he's more interested in seeing how his players perform in one-on-one matchups than he is in outscheming Miami's opponent.
"I'm not looking to see if we can outsmart a coaching staff in a preseason practice. I mean, I don't think that gets our players any better," Hafley said. "Like I said, just imagine I spent all this time the next two nights trying to draw up a blitz and getting a free runner off the edge. What does that tell us about our players? That they can run off the edge in a period where you're not even going to sack the quarterback and it looks cool? Like, that's not important to me.
"What's important is building the foundation the right way. I want to see who can go up against their really good edge rushers and block them one-on-one. ... This year in these joint practices, it's trying to figure out who we are, what we have, get our players better, get them more confident, push them to compete rather than try to outscheme, confuse and beat the New York Giants in a football practice. That would be more ego and that would be a selfish move on my part than it would be about our team and trying to get them better, if that makes sense."
Miami turned in a handful of highlights during Thursday's practice. Running back De'Von Achane broke a long run thanks to lead blocks from fullback DJ Herman and tight end Will Kacmarek. Quarterback Malik Willis also fooled New York's pass rush with a play-action fake and hit rookie wide receiver Kevin Coleman Jr. for a first down -- Coleman took a hit from former Dolphins safety Jevon Holland but was able to complete the catch.
Rookie linebacker Jacob Rodriguez also intercepted Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart. It was a busy day for the second-round pick, who played a larger role with starter Jordyn Brooks sidelined and Tyrel Dodson forced out of practice for an undisclosed reason.
JRod got it 😤🤲 pic.twitter.com/erVwipXf85
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) August 20, 2026
"It's something that's very unique to the NFL -- you don't ever do this growing up," Rodriguez said of joint practices. "Coming out here and still working through plays and serious competition that you need full-speed reps at, but you're getting it against a different look. Some of the issues our offense present us every day are different from what the Giants present.
"I think it's just a really good mesh of everybody in the NFL, that brotherhood of us being here trying to get better before the season starts."
The Giants and Dolphins play Saturday night at Hard Rock Stadium in both teams' penultimate preseason finale.
Hafley said before practice that he had an idea of who will play in Saturday's game, but it would depend on Thursday's workload.
"Everybody should be ready to play," Hafley said. "I think it's really important for me and for us to see how many reps our guys get today, and then am I willing to put certain guys out who might get 40, 45 reps, you know, two days later? So I got to be careful on that. But I have a certain idea."