The Miami Dolphins host the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday night at Camping World Stadium as both teams continue to ready themselves for the upcoming regular season.
The Dolphins finished 2015 with a 6-10 record while the Falcons recorded an 8-8 season and the two franchises will be hoping this preseason helps prepare for a better season than last year.
Injury Report
Miami Dolphins: The biggest injury concern for the Dolphins heading into their game against Atlanta is star defensive end Cameron Wake. Head coach Adam Gase told the media that Wake would be a game-time decision as he continues to work back from an Achilles injury that ended his season last year.
Wideout DeVante Parker should be ready to go after picking up a small injury in last week's game while rookie running back Kenyan Drake is questionable with a hamstring problem.
Atlanta Falcons: Meanwhile for Dan Quinn's team, their star defensive player Vic Beasley Jr. is also the biggest injury concern as Thursday night edges closer. The former-Clemson man is heading into his second season and while is he struggling with a shoulder injury, Beasley should be ready to go against Miami.
Veteran pass-rusher Dwight Freeney will not get the chance to make his Falcons debut after being ruled out with a back strain.
Safeties Kemal Ishmael and Keanu Neal are likely to play while running back Terron Ward, who is potentially facing being cut from the team, could return from an ankle injury that has kept him out of preseason so far.
Players to Watch
Jay Ajayi/Arian Foster: The two are fighting for the starting job in Miami's backfield and with no clear favorite this far into preseason, the job is still up for grabs. While Foster has the experience and excellent statistics on his side, Ajayi has potential and can stay healthy, something the former has struggled with in his career. The game against Atlanta provides a great opportunity for both running backs to make a statement and prove their worth.
Brandon Wilds: The running back out of South Carolina has a real shot at making Atlanta's 53-man roster as the third string back. With Terron Ward sidelined, Wilds has impressed during preseason and while Ward may return against Miami, the rookie can continue his form and push for a spot on the team.
Keanu Neal: Atlanta's first round pick in 2016 was deemed as a reach by many draft experts and during his first game as a Falcon last week, he was beaten for a touchdown by Cleveland's Gary Barnidge. He has a chance to bounce back from that play on Thursday night and put in a performance, against a strong Dolphins receiving core, that will prove many doubters wrong.
A Game in Which Jobs are Won
It's preseason and for some fans, the score matters, but for most fans it's about position battles and watching rookies impress. With that being said, the third preseason game will decide the fate of some players currently on the 90-man roster. After this week, and before the final game of preseason, the rosters will be cut from 90, to 73, and finally to 53 after that final game.
The battle between Miami and Atlanta on Thursday has plenty of jobs up for grabs and there should be plenty of room for players to show what they're made of.