Eagles-Dolphins Preview: Time to see what the starters can do

By: Jesse Larch, Sports Talk Philly Staff

After sharing the practice field at NovaCare Complex this week, the Eagles and the Miami Dolphins will clash tonight under the lights on Lincoln financial Field at 7:00 p.m.

With this being the third preseason game, the Starters are expected to receive the bulk of the playing time, and will give us our first real look at how the team should look in the regular season. 

Things To Watch For

The Eagles will likely be without middle linebacker Jordan Hicks and defensive end Brandon Graham after they suffered minor injuries earlier this week. It will be interesting to see who Jim Schwartz gives the minutes to tonight. Derek Barnett will get more snaps with the first team, and Joe Walker and Najee Goode have both been playing at middle linebacker in practice. 

The biggest thing to watch tonight is going to be the chemistry between Carson Wentz and his improved receiver group. Wentz struggled to connect with Alshon Jeffery last week and has not yet completed a pass to Torrey Smith through two games. 

Players with the most to gain

There is no player with more to gain tonight than LeGarrette Blount, whose name has recently come up as a potential cut from the 53-man roster. 

Head coach Doug Pederson rebuffed those rumors, but he also said that Jordan Matthews' role on the team was safe prior to him being traded to Buffalo.

Blount has failed to impress in preseason, while other running backs like Corey Clement and Wendell Smallwood have been impressive when they have been on the field. 

Blount should see a lot of the work with the first team, and could be in trouble if he fails to impress again this week. 

Defensively, the biggest name to watch is Derek Barnett. Barnett leads all players in the preseason with three sacks, and has been the recipient of high praise from his coaching staff. 

The coaches have made it a priority to give Barnett reps with the first team, and with Brandon Graham likely out, Barnett will get a huge opportunity to show what he can do against the starters. 

Unfortunately, this a tough night for players who are on the roster bubble, as they will receive less playing time than they did in the first two games. With limited snaps for them, players like Marcus Johnson, Shelton Gibson, and Bryce Treggs will have to make an impression immediately to strengthen their case to make the team with cuts looming. 

Another player on the roster bubble is quarterback Matt McGloin, who has been atrocious at times in preseason. Nick Foles will once again be absent, although the team expects him to be fine by week 1. 

The Eagles will likely only carry two quarterbacks into the season, and McGloin has a lot of work to do if he wants to change the Eagles' mind on his future with the team.

Expected Starters

How to Watch

7:00 p.m. on NBC 10 or online with NFL Game Pass