The Jacksonville Jaguars and Miami Dolphins called a stop to their preseason finale with 8:32 left in the fourth quarter Saturday night due to an injury suffered by Dolphins receiver Daewood Davis.
Davis, an undrafted rookie who signed with the Dolphins after the 2023 NFL draft, was hit by two players after attempting to make a catch. The receiver was left face down on the turf and was eventually carted off the field.
Daewood Davis injury. Praying he’s ok pic.twitter.com/eAhIZGKKGM
— Andrew (@AndrewFazzolare) August 27, 2023
Following the injury, Jaguars coach Doug Pederson and Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel met near midfield with the referee and were eventually joined by a pair of team captains. After a lengthy discussion, the official announced that the teams agreed to conclude the game without playing the final eight minutes.
“As a head coach you start looking at your team, you start looking at your team, you start looking at body language and kind of where guys are mentally,” Pederson said after the game. “After the amount of time that had passed, then Mike [McDaniel] and I got together and talked about suspending the game, just from where it was.
“We had to get our player reps involved, obviously [the NFL offices in] New York involved, and it was the right thing to do at that time. This game is all about player safety. I know it’s a preseason game and some guys are fighting for spots and all of that, but at the same time, we want to make sure that everybody is 100 percent.”
Miami offered an update on Davis shortly after the rest of the game was cancelled.
Dolphins WR Daewood Davis suffered an injury in tonight’s game and has been taken to Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville for further evaluation. He is conscious and has movement in all extremities.
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) August 27, 2023
The Jaguars won the game 31-18 to finish their preseason with an undefeated record.