Dolphins' Malik Willis has impressive start, Marcus Mariota injured as Commanders win 20-7

LANDOVER, Md. (AP) — Malik Willis got off to an impressive start as Miami's new quarterback, leading a 14-play, 93-yard touchdown drive as the Dolphins lost 20-7 to the Washington Commanders Friday night in the preseason opener for both teams.

Washington's veteran backup quarterback, Marcus Mariota, got the start but lasted just four plays.

Mariota suffered a leg injury on a non-contact play while handing the ball off to Kaytron Allen. He immediately fell to the ground and was surrounded by Washington’s training staff.

Mariota eventually walked off the field under his own power and went into the blue medical tent. The veteran emerged a few minutes later and had a brief sideline chat with starting QB Jayden Daniels and offensive coordinator David Blough before walking to the locker room.

Commanders coach Dan Quinn — who held out Daniels and two dozen other healthy players — did not have an update on Mariota after the game.

“We’ll evaluate the (injured) guys (Saturday) and have a good sense for what’s ahead for the week,” Quinn said.

Signed as a free agent in the offseason to replace Tua Tagovailoa, Willis completed 4 of 5 passes for 43 yards on his lone series and had 9 yards rushing on two carries. De’Von Achane also played just the first series, capping it off with a 1-yard touchdown run. He had 39 yards on seven carries.

“It was exciting,” Willis said. “Just the consistency of the guys out there, keeping up the energy and the execution all the way down the field. I think they did a great job with their preparation and learning from the practice.”

Willis' best play was a 28-yard connection with rookie Caleb Douglas, who hauled in the pass with one hand over cornerback Antonio Hamilton Sr. Almost all the Commanders’ defensive starters didn’t play.

“He surprised me,” Willis said of Douglas’ catch. “When he went up with one hand, I was like, ‘Oh, oh?’ That was nice.”

One play before he was hurt, Mariota completed a 22-yard pass to Dyami Brown but was hit by linebacker Tyrel Dodson on the throw. He was slow to get up before jogging to catch up with his teammates.

Sam Hartman came on for Mariota and was uneven. The third-year player was 8 of 15 for 80 yards and an interception.

Miami backup Quinn Ewers struggled, too, completing 1 of 8 passes for 27 yards and an interception. Dolphins third-stringer Cam Miller completed 3 of 11 passes and threw two picks.

“That’s all we talk about, ball is life,” said Commanders safety Quan Martin, who intercepted Ewers in the second quarter. “Just try to get the ball any way possible: punch, rip out, interception. Just give our offense another opportunity.”

Washington controlled the game once both teams turned to reserves. Allen rushed for 85 yards and a touchdown, and fellow rookie Robert Henry Jr. had 75 yards rushing and a score.

“Seeing (Henry) score, I knew I had to score,” Allen said. “He scored, and he just got me going. Rob had a great game today.”

Dolphins: Host the New York Giants on Aug. 22.

Commanders: At Detroit on Aug. 22.

See AP’s full NFL coverage here

Washington Commanders quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis (16) throws a pass during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the Miami Dolphins, Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, in Landover, MD. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Washington Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) hands the ball to running back Kaytron Allen (31) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, in Landover, MD. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

Washington Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) walks off the field during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Miami Dolphins, Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, in Landover, MD. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Washington Commanders defensive tackle Byron Cowart (55) grabs Miami Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis (2) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, in Landover, MD. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Miami Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis (2) aims a pass during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Washington Commanders, Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, in Landover, MD. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

IRVINE, Calif. (AP) — Lani Pallister of Australia defeated Katie Ledecky to win the 400-meter freestyle at the Pan Pacific Championships on Friday night in a final that lacked some luster without world record holder Summer McIntosh.

Pallister was under world-record pace through 150 meters before touching in 3 minutes, 58.42 seconds. Ledecky had over a second to make up on the final lap and took silver in 4:00.15.

“I could see Katie catching me on the last 150 and that’s a very nerve-wracking feeling,” Pallister said.

Erika Fairweather of New Zealand was third.

“It was OK, not super happy with it,” Ledecky said. “I never like being over 4 minutes in an international final, but I put together the best race I could. I thought I had a good back half, just wasn't out quick enough.”

Pallister has firmly established herself as one of Ledecky's top rivals two years out from the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The 24-year-old Aussie who cites the 29-year-old American as her inspiration has been piling up international medals in freestyle events ranging from 200 to 1,500 meters.

Pallister won the 200 free over McIntosh and Fairweather on Wednesday. Ledecky didn’t compete in the event this week. Ledecky topped Pallister in the 1,500 free that same night.

“I've never taken my competition for granted, even when I was winning by big margins,” Ledecky said. “I just have a lot of great competition from all over the world right now.”

McIntosh surprisingly failed to advance to the evening final. The 19-year-old Canadian's time of 4:08.56 was ninth-fastest in the preliminaries and more than 14 seconds slower than her world-record time.

“I take full responsibility for my misjudgment in this morning’s heats,” McIntosh posted on her Instagram account.

McIntosh led all the way in winning the ‘B’ final in 4:00.58, which would have earned her the bronze in the final.

She's had mixed results in Irvine. She was second in the 200 freestyle and then won the 400 individual medley with a time that was about 3 1/2 seconds slower than her fastest time.

Sam Short gave Australia a sweep in the 400 free, winning the men's final in 3:40.52, breaking the 27-year-old championship record of 3:41.03 set by his countryman Ian Thorpe.

“I had so much left at the end,” Short said.

Zhang Zhanshuo of China took silver.

The Aussies went 1-2 in the men's 100 butterfly. Matthew Temple won gold and teammate Ben Armbruster earned silver. American Gretchen Walsh won the women's race in 55.15 seconds. Taylor Ruck of Canada took silver in 56.71.

Regan Smith led a 1-2 U.S. finish in the 200 backstroke. She was under world-record pace after 100 meters and touched in 2:05.57. Teammate Claire Curzan earned silver in 2:06.44.

AP sports: https://apnews.com/hub/sports

Katie Ledecky, of the United States, competes in the women's 1500-meter freestyle final at the Pan Pacific Swimming Championships in Irvine, Calif., Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Lani Pallister, of Australia, celebrates after winning the the women's 200-meter freestyle final at the Pan Pacific Swimming Championships in Irvine, Calif., Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)