Three Miami Dolphins who left opportunities on the table in 17-12 preseason loss to Atlanta

The Miami Dolphins wrapped up their preseason schedule with a 17-12 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. Here are three players on the bubble who left opportunity on the table.

Kyle Crabbs NFL National Writer
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Jan 4, 2026; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Miami Dolphins cornerback Ethan Bonner (27) catches the ball before the game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images

That’s all, folks. The Miami Dolphins‘ preseason schedule is in the books. And, in a 17-12 loss to the Atlanta Falcons, the bubble players on the Dolphins roster have finished their last chance for an impression on the front office and coaching staff.

Not every opportunity was seized. And while the tape will need to be watched for a final assessment, several Dolphins players had moments of frustration in a narrow loss. Here are three Dolphins players who left opportunity on the table in Miami’s preseason Week 3 loss.

Three Miami Dolphins who left opportunity on the table in 17-12 preseason loss to Atlanta

Jan 4, 2026; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Miami Dolphins cornerback Ethan Bonner (27).

CB Ethan Bonner

Bonner was in coverage on a Falcons touchdown reception. In general, he had several transitions in coverage that left too much space for receptions. In what is generally a wide open cornerback room, Bonner’s play tonight was not inspiring and leaves his status against names such as AJ Green and Alex Austin on shaky ground. Bonner’s experience as a special teams player could still tilt things in his favor but tonight was a missed opportunity to put an exclamation point on his status.

QB Cam Miller

Miller generally had some frustrating spurts and did not have an efficient day passing the football. With a 7/16 day passing the football, Miller had more than one throw that should have been easily catchable but accuracy complicated the effort. Miller had a second consecutive week in which Quinn Ewers did not dress. But Miller was outshined by UDFA rookie Mark Gronowski in the second half. That despite Gronowski missing a deep touchdown pass long to WR Jalen Reagor.

FB D.J. Herman

Herman is a converted linebacker who had a tough showing in Week 2 of the preseason against the New York Giants. He had yet another visible missed opportunity tonight. He had a check down in the flat fall harmlessly through his hands. Herman could have used a splash play in the passing game to inspire upside in his conversion to the offensive side of the ball. His chance, literally, slipped through his fingers.

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