Dolphins, Buccaneers finalizing plans to hold joint practices during preseason

PHOENIX — The Miami Dolphins and Tampa Bay Buccaneers are working toward having joint practices during training camp in August.

If officially agreed upon, the practices would likely occur before the Dolphins and Buccaneers meet for their preseason game at Raymond James Stadium.

Both teams are finalizing the details of their plans, with the NFL expected to announce its preseason schedule for all 32 teams next month. A likely meeting could be during the second week of the preseason.

NFL teams convening for preseason practices have become a staple during the exhibition season in recent years.

This opportunity would give new Dolphins coach Brian Flores and new Buccaneers coach Bruce Arians another chance to evaluate their teams before the regular season, while helping the players break up the monotony of practicing against teammates during training camp.

Arians, who briefly met with reporters at the start of the NFL’s annual meetings at the Arizona Biltmore on Sunday, would prefer to have three joint practices with the Dolphins, while it is unclear whether Miami would agree to more than two practices.

If both teams play their preseason game on a Friday, the practices could be held on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday before the exhibition. If the preseason game is on Saturday, the practices could be Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

While some NFL teams opt to not practice with other teams to preserve a competitive advantage, the Dolphins and Buccaneers do not have to worry about such a factor. Both teams will not play each other during the 2019 regular season.

The Dolphins and Buccaneers have traditionally met during every preseason from 2000-15 before renewing their matchup last year at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.

The Dolphins last held joint practices with another team in 2017, with the eventual Super Bowl champion Eagles in Philadelphia.