MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. â The Atlanta Falcons and Miami Dolphins close out their 2026 NFL preseason Friday night at Hard Rock Stadium, with final roster evaluations, Atlanta’s quarterback situation and several injury-related absences adding intrigue to the matchup.
(Preseason) Game Day in Miami! đ´ pic.twitter.com/wv94aLRqhy
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) August 28, 2026
The Falcons vs. Dolphins preseason finale kicks off at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, August 28 in Miami Gardens, Florida. For viewers in India, kickoff is scheduled for 4:30 a.m. IST on Saturday, August 29.
Atlanta enters the finale at 1-1 in preseason play after beating Indianapolis 34-6, while Miami is 0-2. With the preseason ending and roster decisions approaching, the final score may matter less to coaches than what happens in individual position battles.
Falcons vs. Dolphins: Kickoff time and how to watch
Matchup: Atlanta Falcons at Miami Dolphins
Date: Friday, August 28, 2026
Kickoff: 7:00 p.m. ET
India time: 4:30 a.m. IST, Saturday, August 29
Venue: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida
Atlanta TV: FOX 5 (WAGA)
Miami TV: CBS Miami (WFOR-TV)
Streaming: NFL+ and applicable local streaming options
The NFL lists Falcons-Dolphins among Friday’s preseason games available through NFL+, although live preseason availability can be affected by local and geographic restrictions.
In South Florida, CBS Miami is carrying the Dolphins broadcast on WFOR-TV. Atlanta-area viewers can check local Falcons broadcast availability before kickoff.
The matchup comes during a busy final stretch of the NFL preseason. Fans following Friday’s action can also check our Commanders vs. Ravens preseason finale guide for another game on the night’s schedule.
Falcons-Dolphins injury updates and what to watch
The biggest confirmed Atlanta personnel development involves Michael Penix Jr. The quarterback has been medically cleared to participate in full-team practice, but Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed that Penix will not play against Miami.
Penix had only recently returned to 11-on-11 work, and Atlanta is taking a cautious approach rather than rushing him into preseason action. The quarterback said this week that he feels good and confident about his progress as attention shifts toward being ready for the regular season.
The Falcons’ unofficial depth chart had listed Penix alongside Tua Tagovailoa at quarterback after Penix received medical clearance. With Penix now ruled out of Friday’s game, Atlanta’s quarterback snaps become one of the most notable storylines to follow.
The game also carries extra interest because of Tagovailoa’s connection to Miami. His appearance at Hard Rock Stadium puts additional attention on Atlanta’s offense as the Falcons complete their preparations for the regular season.
Atlanta’s injury list shown ahead of the matchup includes offensive lineman Storm Norton, running back Trey Sermon and outside linebacker DeAngelo Malone. Their designations and availability should be checked against the team’s latest official transactions and game-day announcements, as preseason roster statuses can change quickly.
On Miami’s side, the injury information displayed ahead of the game includes linebacker Ronnie Harrison Jr. with a hamstring issue, while defensive tackle Zach Sieler and defensive end Clelin Ferrell are shown with undisclosed issues. Those listings should not automatically be treated as confirmation that a player will miss the game.
Beyond injuries, this is a final audition for players competing for jobs. Atlanta still has decisions to make across several areas of the roster, including depth at quarterback, wide receiver, linebacker and cornerback.
Miami faces similar decisions. Players on the edge of the Dolphins’ roster have one more preseason opportunity to make an impression before the team settles on its regular-season group.
That can make the second half particularly important. Established starters may receive limited work, while reserves and roster-bubble players can get extended snaps with their NFL futures potentially influenced by their final preseason performance.
For Atlanta, the game is also the final tune-up before opening the regular season on the road against Pittsburgh on September 13. The Falcons’ official schedule confirms Friday’s Miami trip as their third and final preseason contest.
What to watch: Keep an eye on Atlanta’s quarterback rotation with Penix sidelined, how long the Falcons use established players, Miami’s roster-bubble battles and any late injury or availability changes announced before kickoff. Those developments could ultimately prove more significant than the preseason result itself.
Note: This News is published by Swikblog Sports News desk- Injury and player availability information can change before kickoff. This story should be updated if either team announces additional inactive players or roster moves.
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