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Jaxson Dart, Giants beat the heat and the Dolphins in dominant joint practice

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MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — The biggest takeaway from the New York Giants’ first and only joint practice of the preseason: It was HOT.

And while I would love to complain about sweating on the sidelines through the 90-degree heat and a RealFeel temperature of over 100 degrees, I know the players had it worse. Except after Thursday’s sun-drenched practice against the Miami Dolphins, the Giants weren’t complaining.

Instead, they were crediting new coach John Harbaugh for helping them not only survive the day, but dominate it.

Giants players said they felt prepared for Thursday’s heat because of all the long, grueling practices that have come throughout camp. Harbaugh has had his team practicing in the afternoon, in the peak of the summer heat, in both West Virginia and New Jersey. It’s also worth pointing out — and my beat partner, Dan Duggan, did — that going into Thursday, the Giants had already conducted 16 training camp practices in 21 days. Last year, the Giants didn’t get to practice No. 16 until the 33rd day of camp.

“I ain’t gonna lie, if we didn’t practice as hard as we do, I don’t know if we would have made it through this heat,” Burns said Thursday. “And the level of competition that we practiced with today. But I feel like us practicing as hard as we do, definitely prepared us for all of this.”

The Giants not only looked prepared, they looked dominant. No, the Dolphins aren’t projected to be one of the league’s best teams, but the Giants manhandled their opponents Thursday. Perhaps most encouraging for the team and its fans: Quarterback Jaxson Dart put together one of his best days of camp.

With that, let’s get into everything that happened on a busy and sweltering day in Miami.

Attendance

Wide receivers Malik Nabers and Jalin Hyatt were the only players in attendance not in full pads. Nabers was spotted out of uniform, as he continues to work back from a torn ACL he suffered last season. Nabers took big steps in his recovery this week, returning to full-speed team drills in back-to-back practices, including one that was padded, but Thursday’s joint session was not in the plans for Nabers, as it was “not as controlled of an environment.”

Injury report

Rookie starting right guard Francis Mauigoa left midway through practice, walking off with training staff without his pads or jersey. Harbaugh said the rookie suffered a stinger but doesn’t seem too serious. Josh Ezeudu replaced Mauigoa and played the rest of the practice with the starters.

Left tackle Andrew Thomas gave fans a brief scare when he missed the end of a series and was seen seated on the ground. However, the All-Pro was just dealing with an equipment issue with his cleats, and he returned the next series. Marcus Mbow subbed in for Thomas in the interim.

Observations

Dart dialed in

Quarterback Dart delivered what may have been his strongest practice of camp, finishing 17-of-21 passing with one interception in the team sessions. His favorite target Thursday, as it has been throughout camp, was tight end Isaiah Likely. Likely finished with six receptions Thursday, including two in the offense’s final two-minute drive situation.

While the Giants settled for a field goal in that situation, Theo Johnson may have scored earlier in the series. He hauled in a pass and ran into the end zone, but because no tackling is allowed in this setting, it’s tough to know if he’d have actually scored in a game situation.

Rookie third-round receiver Malachi Fields also delivered a solid day, as he continues to put together his case for the No. 2 receiver role alongside Nabers. Fields caught a pass in that final drive and had room to run, but he went down to preserve clock time and set up the field goal. Fields also made a nice grab off a long Dart pass.

“We didn’t really run any of our play action, any of our downfield play actions against Minnesota,” Harbaugh said of the Giants’ preseason opener. “So, you saw a few more of those in practice today. … Those are the type of passes you work off the run game. Those are good chunk plays for us, and we had a number of chunk gains off play action (today), which was good to see.”

Throwing punches

Given the heat and the increased aggression that comes with a joint practice, it felt like it was only a matter of time Thursday until tensions reached a boiling point. That came a little past the midway point Thursday, when a scuffle broke out between the Giants’ defense and Dolphins offense. A play later, on the Giants’ offensive side, the tensions really escalated. Following a Calvin Austin III completion from quarterback Jameis Winston, there was a whole lot of shoving before the sidelines completely cleared. It looked like Winston took a punch as he got involved in the kerfuffle. It was the longest of the handful of dustups Thursday.

On the next series with the starters, another scuffle broke out, following a cheap shot taken on running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. A final skirmish occurred after the Giants’ made field goal that concluded practice.

Starting right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor was not on the field for that final drive due to the coaches’ approach to fights.

“Anybody that threw a punch in the scrimmages would be treated like a game,” Harbaugh said.

While Eluemunor’s punch wasn’t a hard one, it was to the face, and as Harbaugh said, “That’ll get you in the game.”

Defensive dominance

I was primarily focused on the Giants offense Thursday, so I wasn’t as dialed in on the defense, but it was clear from talking to players, coaches and other reporters that the defense had themselves a day. That stemmed from the pass rush, which Harbaugh called “ferocious.”

Outside linebacker Brian Burns estimated the team tallied more than six sacks.

“We had splashes in the beginning, but I wanted to swarm from when we first got out here, and it just took a little bit to get going,” Burns said. “But I let it be known, we don’t wait to get punched in the mouth. That didn’t happen, but we don’t wait to get punched in the mouth to fire off on somebody.”

It looked like the defense forced a three-and-out in the final two-minute drill, which featured sacks from Abdul Carter and cornerback Dru Phillips. Both starting units stayed on the field to keep the drill going, and the Dolphins ended up with a field goal. Harbaugh said Dolphins coach Jeff Hafley wanted his starters to get another shot, and the Giants pulled some of their starters, including the whole defensive line.

“The first set, obviously, I mean, I think they lost yards, didn’t they?,” Harbaugh said. “The goal there is to get the ball back. We would have had the ball back with 40-something seconds after we knocked them back. We had a chance, maybe, to go get a field goal. No timeouts, but you want to get the ball back and see if you can go get your field goal. That’s the goal.”

The two starting outside corners in this drill were Deonte Banks and Greg Newsome II, who were then replaced by Paulson Adebo and Korie Black.

Kicking competition

While there were no seven-on-seven periods in Thursday’s practice, there was still time for special teams. For the Giants, one of the most intriguing areas remains at kicker. Rookie Dominic Zvada finished the 5-for-5 in the kicking period, while Ben Sauls went 3-for-5.

In the final two-minute drill, it was Zvada who attempted and made field goal from about 40 yards out.

Play of the day

Veteran running back Najee Harris signed with the Giants just two days ago after visiting Monday. He partook in Tuesday’s practice, running only individual drills as he got acclimated. But Harris was taking team reps Thursday, tallying three carries. While Harbaugh said Harris would need a few weeks to get back into football shape, the coach thought Harris “looked good” Thursday. Harris pinballed through Dolphins defenders a couple of times, showing why the Giants were interested in bringing in the big, physical back.

While it came with the second string, Harris’ standout moment of the day was a short touchdown run that elicited cheers from his teammates.

Why did the Giants sign Najee Harris?

Charlotte Carroll

Quote of the day

“I don’t think I really like it that much, but I said I was going to do it, so I’m just going to keep riding with it. I did it in college, but I didn’t do it last year, so I was like, ‘Let’s see maybe a few years after college and see if I can grow it out better because I had to dye it in college. (But) it’s not very good now, so.” — QB Jaxson Dart, on his mustache that he plans to clean up before Week 1

What do you think, Giants fans? Do you like QB Jaxson Dart’s mustache? Sam Navarro / Imagn Images

Next up

The Giants will take on the Dolphins in their second preseason game at 4 p.m. on Saturday in Miami. Harbaugh and his coaching staff have yet to determine how much, if at all, the Giants starters will play.

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Rory McIlroy: World number two back in form with lead at BMW Championship

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August 20, 2026

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BMW Championship – round one leaderboard

-6 R McIlroy (NI), W Clark (US), C Gotterup (US), J.J. Spain (US), G Woodland (US); -5 R Hisatsune (Jpn)

Selected others: -4 A Fitzpatrick (Eng), L Aberg (Swe), M Thorbjornsen (US); -3 M Fitzpatrick (Eng); -2 R MacIntyre (Sco), A Rai (Eng); -1 T Fleetwood (Eng), J Rose (Eng)

Full leaderboard

Rory McIlroy said a bit of “good work” with his team helped him rediscover his form and take a clubhouse lead in the first round of the BMW Championship.

The world number two, who finished 66th at the St Jude Championship last weekend, finished six under par at Bellerive Country Club.

Having reached the turn at two under, McIlroy birdied the 13th and then three of the last four holes, sharing his lead with the American quartet of Gary Woodland, Wyndham Clark, JJ Spaun and Chris Gotterup.

McIlroy stated that working with his swing coach Michael Bannon and caddie Harry Diamond helped him restore his touch after last week’s tournament in Memphis.

“I felt at least like I got myself back going in the right direction, and what I wanted to do with my swing, but still you never know when you turn up here,” McIlroy told the Golf Channel.

“This golf course sets up a lot better for me than Memphis did last week. You can miss it a little bit off the tee, and the playing corridors are a lot wider, so you can get away with it, which I needed to get away with it a couple of times today.

“But this set-up suits my game a little bit better, and I definitely feel a little bit more comfortable on this golf course than I did last week.”

Japan’s Ryo Hisatsune came in at five under, while Englishman Alex Fitzpatrick, American Michael Thorbjornsen and Sweden’s Ludvig Aberg were in a group tied for seventh on four under.

Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre closed on two under, having withdrawn from the St Jude Championship before the second round following an opening 12-over 82.

World number one and defending champion Scheffler, who had also triumphed in Memphis on Sunday, suffered a run of four bogeys through the opening seven holes, finding himself far down the field.

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Bills-Browns joint practice roundtable: Who stood out Thursday?

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August 20, 2026

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Joint practices often come with fireworks, as the New Orleans Saints and Dallas Cowboys proved — and were punished for.

Thursday’s joint practice between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns in Berea, Ohio, was feisty but won’t result in any fines. There was still plenty to discuss.

The Athletic’s Bills writer Joe Buscaglia and Browns writer Zac Jackson teamed up to break down the practice, including their overall impressions, biggest surprises, standout performers and what they’re looking forward to in Saturday’s preseason game between the teams.

Overall thoughts from practice on the team you cover?

Jackson: The Browns probably mostly feel good about their day of work. It was a much-needed day of punching way up from their current weight class and just getting full-speed reps. For a lot of the Browns’ starters, it might end up being the only time all month they face another team’s best lineup. The lower body injury suffered by defensive end Alex Wright appeared to be significant, and the defensive line has already been hit hard by injuries. The defense didn’t have a good day overall, which happens against that Josh Allen guy. But the Browns — who are miles from respectability in the bigger picture — represented themselves fairly well from my point of view.

Buscaglia: I think the Bills were looking at this as their best opportunity to get work that simulates the regular season as best as possible, without putting Allen at risk of taking unnecessary contact. Especially with how many times the quarterback dealt with contact in their preseason opener, a more controlled environment was a welcomed change against another team. But it was also a chance to see how this version of the Bills would operate in a new setting under new head coach Joe Brady. Because it was against the Browns, who are a long way away from where the Bills have been as a perennial Super Bowl contender, there could have been some temptation to not take it as seriously as the Browns. The Bills, and Brady, passed that test as they played with energy and for the most part, pretty well on both sides of the ball.

Who was Thursday’s practice MVP for the team you cover, and why?

Jackson: KC Concepcion. The rookie wide receiver had the day’s two longest catches, and both were similar to the kinds of catches he’s been making over the course of camp. Concepcion and fellow rookie wide receiver Denzel Boston have juice the Browns just haven’t had at the position the last couple seasons, and both are off to strong starts. Concepcion shows both savvy and fearlessness going over the middle, traits that not every rookie wide receiver has – or wants to even try to put on display. He’s going to be a focal point of the offense when the season begins.

Cleveland Browns Camp: QB competition, Boston impressing and more

Robert Mays

Buscaglia: I know, it’s boring, but Allen was outstanding for most of the practice and he got plenty of work — possibly the most team drill work he’s had all summer. Allen received six different sets of 11-on-11 reps throughout the practice and shined in his accuracy and decision making. Of all the things Allen will face in the buildup to the regular season, I’d argue today was his most difficult test. For one, the Browns defense is a very respectable unit even without Myles Garrett around anymore, and because it’s a practice setting rather than a preseason game, they were more apt to try different pressure packages than they would on Saturday. And two, the Bills were without four of their top nine receivers, as Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman, rookie Skyler Bell and Dante Pettis all sat. Allen had a rotating cast of characters at receiver all practice, including some who won’t make the 53-man roster, and still had a highly effective day. If I had to guess, Allen did more than enough to warrant getting to rest during Saturday night’s preseason game.

What or who impressed you most about the opposing team?

Jackson: Allen throws rockets, the kind rarely seen on these Northeast Ohio practice fields the last several years (or decades). The Bills have a massive and experienced offensive line, too, and the tempo at which the whole offensive group operates demonstrates the difference between a real AFC contender and team still trying to find itself such as the Browns. The Buffalo secondary was feisty and competitive, too, which made for good work for the young Cleveland receiving corps. The Browns have a totally new offensive line and didn’t have starting running back Quinshon Judkins, but still had some good moments through multiple offensive drills.

Buscaglia: This is an easy answer: rookie wide receiver Denzel Boston. I was most interested to see how the Bills younger cornerbacks, Maxwell Hairston and Davison Igbinosun, would fare against someone who has drawn rave reviews so far through camp. Boston mostly got the better of those matchups, with Hairston taking the worse of it despite one solid pass break up near the end of practice. Boston even won his one-on-one against Bills top cornerback Christian Benford on a third-and-2, where Boston released off the line and got a step on Benford with an inside slant for an 8-yard gain to extend the drive. It was only one day for us seeing him, but the hype on Boston seemed warranted today.

Is the Bills’ DL Deone Walker ready for a breakout?

Joe Buscaglia

What was the most revealing or memorable matchup or sequence from practice?

Jackson: Boston’s wins in the two-minute drill were important for the young receiver’s growing confidence. Earlier in practice, Igbinosun had celebrated a pass breakup against Boston before the back judge threw the flag and awarded the Browns a first down. The Bills’ sideline was openly mocking both Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson for throwing too many checkdowns early in practice, but the Browns ended up having as much success in the intermediate pass game as they’ve had in any session all summer.

Buscaglia: I found it interesting that, during special teams drills, the Bills had their entire roster on their sideline with an emphasis on being as vocal as possible to increase the energy. Usually in special teams drills, the Bills will send all their non-essential special team players off to another part of the field to get some individual work in, but that wasn’t the case Thursday. The Browns had all of their non special teams players off elsewhere. But for the Bills, everyone including Josh Allen, was right there and heavily invested. That, plus nickel corner Jordan Hancock’s interception of Watson with nowhere in the general vicinity showed the very large difference between what the Bills have under center and what the Browns are dealing with in 2026.

Which player or players have the most to prove in Saturday’s preseason game?

Jackson: This is complicated — as most things involving the perpetual Browns quarterback carousel are. If coach Todd Monken hasn’t made up his mind, then Sanders gets one last chance to compete and make an impression. Because Monken probably has decided to go with Watson in a decision the first-year coach will surely regret sooner than later, then you have to look towards second-year players like running back Rocket Sanders and wide receiver Isaiah Bond as Saturday’s spotlight players. Monken repeated after practice that his Saturday plans haven’t changed: Sanders gets the first half and Watson will play the third quarter, though none of the team’s older starters will play (and the others won’t play much).

Buscaglia: I think it’s the Bills young defensive linemen who are fighting for playing time and for some, a spot on the 53-man roster. With starter Ed Oliver sitting out of Thursday’s practice, that means it’s quite likely he won’t play on Saturday either. Especially against a Browns offense still trying to find its way, the group of recent young draft investments that includes TJ Sanders (2025 second round), Landon Jackson (2025 third round), DeWayne Carter (2024 third round) and Zane Durant (2026 fifth round) is likely to get a bunch of time. It’s an especially imporatnt day for Sanders and Carter. Sanders didn’t play in the first half of the first preseason game, and is trying to hang onto his starting job in base defense ahead of Jackson. Carter is the Bills’ primary backup nose tackle to starter Deone Walker, though the Bills went out and signed free agent Greg Gaines this week for even more competition, and it at least makes you wonder if Carter is in jeopardy of not making the 53-man roster. Both Sanders and Carter need good days Saturday.

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Josh Tarling to race Vuelta a España a week after death of brother Finlay

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August 20, 2026

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British rider Josh Tarling will start the Vuelta a España on Saturday, just eight days after the death of his younger brother Finlay during last week’s Volta a Portugal.

Finlay Tarling, 19, was killed after being hit head-on by a van driven by a member of the public, which had entered the course without authorization.

His older brother Josh, a Grand Tour stage winner and former European time-trial champion, has now been named in Netcompany-INEOS’ squad for the final Grand Tour of the season. Tarling also competed in the Tour de France this July.

The British-Danish squad were the final team to name their line-up for the race as they awaited confirmation over Tarling’s participation. The Vuelta begins with a nine kilometer individual time trial in Monaco, which Tarling will be among the favorites to win.

“La Vuelta is a big opportunity for us to finish the Grand Tour season strongly,” said Netcompany-INEOS’ director of racing Geraint Thomas. “I’m confident in the team we’re taking and their ability to adapt to whatever the race throws at us over the next three weeks. It’ll be a tough race, because La Vuelta always is, but the team is united and looking forward to taking it on.

“It also goes without saying that, as a team, we all fully support Josh in his decision to take part in the race.”

During the past week, the tragedy provoked an outpouring of tributes from across the peloton.

“We are speechless and filled with anger after the news of Finlay Tarling’s death at the Tour of Portugal,” the riders’ union, the CPA, said in a statement. “It is not right that a young athlete’s life should end this way, and we are furious that even today it is still not possible to prevent such serious accidents.”

Josh Tarling has not spoken publicly since his brother’s death, but his parents Michael and Dawn shared their own joint message on Sunday.

“Hearing how lovingly and fondly Fin was thought of has been a huge help to us,” they wrote on Instagram. “I don’t know how we carry on from here, but we’ll figure it out with the support of all our family, friends, and community.

“Whilst our broken hearts will never be fixed, he was not only our son and brother but our best mate. Gentle, loving with the driest sense of humour, we will miss him terribly. If you’re heading out on your bike in the next few days give him a thought as you clip in.”

Netcompany-INEOS’ squad also features Scottish climber Oscar Onley, fourth at last year’s Tour, who was signed over the winter as the team’s general classification leader. Onley missed this year’s Tour with injury, with the Vuelta marking his Grand Tour debut with the team.

Five-time Tour winner Tadej Pogacar begins the race as the overwhelming favourite, making his first appearance in the Vuelta since claiming three stages on debut back in 2019.

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