Miami Dolphins vs Indianapolis Colts | Week 1 Preview

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – It’s finally opening week in the NFL, and that means Dolphins football is underway. Miami starts the season on the road, finding themselves in a comfortable spot towards victory against the Colts. 2024 was an injury-filled season for the Dolphins, but they walk into the 2025 campaign with a nearly full healthy squad. Here are some players to watch for in this week 1 matchup between the Miami Dolphins and the Indianapolis Colts.

Players to Watch

Tyreek Hill

This is the player to watch for the most on the field. He had a vastly disappointing 2024 season to say the least. It was so underwhelming that Hill essentially quit on the team during the third quarter of their season-ending loss to the Jets. His reaction left everyone wondering if he’d be back for his fourth season in Miami. The Dolphins stripped him of his ‘Captain’ status. Is this the year Tyreek Hill finally reaches 2K receiving yards?

Tyreek Hill looks good to me. You're freaking out over the injury list for nothing, never as usual. pic.twitter.com/bRTjBmH3Lt

— *WADDLEVILLE* (@WADDLEVILLE1682) September 3, 2025

Bradley Chubb

The edge defender also missed the entire 2024 season. In the midst of having the best season of his career in 2023, he was ruled out for the season after suffering a torn ACL in week 17. Chubb will be tested in Indianapolis, facing a Colts offensive tackle duo of Braden Smith and Bernhard Raimann.

Miami #Dolphins DC Anthony Weaver puts OLBs Bradley Chubb, Jaelan Phillips, and Chop Robinson on the field at the same time: pic.twitter.com/ASGseZOpqv

— Brandon Liguori (@BrandonRLiguori) August 23, 2025

Minkah Fitzpatrick

He’s back with the team he started his NFL journey with. The star safety is a much better player now than when he was getting his career started with the Fins. Entering the season, the Dolphins’ secondary is thin, and Fitzpatrick must be at the top of his game to cover the team’s weakness.

With week 1 on the horizon, what was one moment where you knew a guy was going to be a stud for the Dolphins?

I’ll fittingly start with Minkah Fitzpatrick’s rookie debut pic.twitter.com/rTCKvhDE0M

— River Cracraft Fan Club (@CracraftFan) September 2, 2025

Jonathan Taylor

Taylor is a player the Dolphins must keep their eye on. He has had 24 rushing performances of 100+ yards. Meanwhile, the Dolphins’ defense hasn’t allowed a running back to triple digits in yardage in 33 games, which is the longest current streak. The defensive front needs to be on point to prevent too much rushing attack.

JONATHAN TAYLOR WITH HIS SECOND 65+ YARD TD TODAY 🤯😱

(via @NFL)
pic.twitter.com/oGX3UsLxyX

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 22, 2024

Laiatu Latu

The second-year defensive end is expected to produce more and start more games this year. He recorded four sacks and three forced fumbles as a rookie. Latu also has 12 QB hits and 38 quarterback pressures. I’m sure Miami’s O-line has seen film on him, as they need to do everything they can to protect Tua Tagovailoa.

Laiatu Latu with the clutch strip sack on Caleb Williams!

📺: #CHIvsIND on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/Anihnys69N

— NFL (@NFL) September 22, 2024

Xavien Howard

The cornerback spent eight seasons in Miami and is back in the league after spending the past year in free agency. Howard isn’t in 2020 All-Pro season form anymore, but this game will have meaning for him. Expect him to spend the majority of his playing time covering either Hill or Jaylen Waddle.

Woke up thinking about 2020 Xavien Howard 💭

➖ 10 interceptions (led NFL)
➖ 20 passes defended (led NFL)
➖ 1 forced fumble
➖ 51 total tackles
➖ 1st team All-Pro
➖ 3rd in DPOY voting
➖ Pro Bowl selection #GoFins pic.twitter.com/hnrZ6xPYce

— FinsXtra (@FinsXtra) April 18, 2025

The Outcome

The Dolphins have three confirmed players out for this game. CB Ethan Bonner (hamstring), TE Darren Waller (hip), and RB Jaylen Wright (knee) will all be sitting on the sidelines.

Dolphins Colts final injury report pic.twitter.com/dyBYaLm0BY

— Travis Wingfield (@WingfieldNFL) September 5, 2025

Last season, the Dolphins lost their matchup at Lucas Oil Stadium in a low-scoring game that was dominated by field goals. However, they were without Tagovailoa. Miami is 3-0 in season openers in the Mike McDaniel era, and I believe that record will remain undefeated come Sunday afternoon.

Some Colts fans will argue that they have their second-best quarterback on the field in Daniel Jones. The Dolphins have enough defenders who can generate pressure with their pass rush. The question is, how often can the Dolphins stop Jonathan Taylor on the ground? Indianapolis doesn’t have a great run defense either, meaning the Fins should be able to establish a solid ground game.

Dolphins: 31

Colts: 17

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