Miami Dolphins vs. Jacksonville Jaguars: Tyreek does handcuff TD celebration in 20-17 win

The Miami Dolphins won their season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars 20-17 thanks to a 52-yard field goal from Jason Sanders as time expired.

Jaelan Phillips gets first sack of the season:

Welcome back, Mr. Phillips.

After missing the second half the 2023 season with an Achilles injury, Phillips sacked Trevor Lawrence on a crucial third down with 3:06 left in the fourth quarter. The Jaguars punted the next play.

David Long Jr. returns after hand injury:

The starting linebacker injured his hand in the fourth quarter but was able to return on the final defensive drive of the game. Long even notched a tackle that limited Tank Bigsby to no gain on his first play back.

Dolphins tie up game in fourth quarter:

Jason Sanders hit a 37-yard field goal with 6:44 left in the fourth quarter to tie the game at 17.

Tyreek Hill gets first touchdown of the season:

One play after Holland’s fumble recovery, Tua Tagovailoa hit Hill on a deep crossing route that the All-Pro receiver took to the house.

Hill’s celebration? Getting put in imaginary handcuffs, a reference to Miami-Dade police’s detainment of the All-Pro receiver outside of Hard Rock Stadium prior to Sunday’s game.

Dolphins are now down 17-14.

The Dolphins bailed out:

Travis Etienne Jr. looked like he was on the way to his second score of the game before fumbling into the endzone.

Jevon Holland hit Etienne’s arm just before he crossed the goal line. Kader Kohou recovered the fumble.

The Jags hit field goal to go up 17-7:

Cam Little hit a 53-yard field goal as time expired to put the Jags up 10.

The Jags got the ball with little over a minute left. Thanks to big catches from Gabe Davis (20 yards) and Brian Thomas Jr. (18 yards), the Jags were able to get into field goal range.

Dolphins score just before end of first half:

Well that took a bit longer than expected.

With just over one minute to go in the first half, Devon Achane rushed up the middle for 1-yard touchdown to cut the Jags’ lead to seven. The Jags are still up 14-7.

Jaylen Waddle returns:

Waddle returned to the game towards the end of the second quarter after being evaluated for a concussion.

He was initially listed as questionable after taking a big hit at the 14:38 mark of the second quarter. The fourth-year receiver walked off the field on his own power but immediately went into the blue tent.

Brian Thomas Jr. gets first NFL touchdown

On a crucial 3rd & 10 in the redzone, the rookie receiver found the soft spot in the Dolphins’ zone and got both feet down to score his first NFL touchdown.

The Jags converted two key third downs that drive — the first being a 30-yard reception to Christian Kirk to get them into Dolphins territory — en route to going up 14-0.

Jags cap off 96-yard drive to go up 7-0:

After starting deep in their own territory, the Jaguars drove down the field pretty easily to score the game’s first touchdown on a 1-yard run from Travis Etienne Jr.

The Jaguars gained 40 yards courtesy of Jalen Ramsey pass interference drawn by rookie receiver Brian Thomas Jr., who got up jawing at the All-Pro corner.

Calais Campbell makes Dolphins debut:

It didn’t take long for Calais Campbell to make his presence felt.

The 38-year-old sacked Trevor Lawrence on his first defensive snap and tackled Travis Etienne Jr. in the backfield on the following play.

Maybe age truly is just a number.

Pregame Inactives:

Per Barry Jackson:

Dolphins cornerback Jalen Ramsey, who is nursing a hamstring injury, will play on Sunday against Jacksonville.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said at 4 a.m. Sunday morning that Ramsey “will attempt to play today” but “either way, he won’t be a full go. But he’s planning to give it a try on a pitch count.”

The Dolphins did not list him among their inactives for the game and he intends to play.

Sunday’s inactives are as followed: Jaylen Wright, Ethan Bonner, Channing Tindall, Mohamed Kamara, Andrew Meyer and Malik Washington.

Tyreek Hill detained:

Per David J. Neal:

Miami Dolphins All-Pro wide receiver Tyreek Hill was handcuffed Sunday morning outside Hard Rock Stadium on his way to the team’s season opening game against Jacksonville.

Video and photos posted to social media showed a Miami-Dade police officer with a knee on Hill’s back as he was detained, then sitting on the ground in handcuffs.

Pregame Dolphins reading:

Fins Fans, the day you’ve been waiting for is here! Here’s a few stories to catch up prior to the 1 p.m. kickoff:

▪ Ahead of Dolphins-Jags season opener, Tua Tagovailoa and Trevor Lawrence have a lot to prove

▪ Short-handed at wide receiver, Dolphins elevate Robbie Chosen for Sunday’s game

▪ Here’s what you need to know for the Dolphins’ regular season opener against the Jaguars

▪ Kelly: Is Anthony Weaver going to end Dolphins’ defensive coordinator carousel? | Opinion

▪ Greg Cote’s Hot Button Top 10: Dolphins vs. POW Drought, Canes stay hot, Messi, Belichick comeback