Dolphins' Darren Waller: Expected back this season
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Waller's pectoral injury isn't expected to be season-ending, coach Mike McDaniel said Friday, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.
Waller was placed on injured reserve Wednesday and won't return prior to Week 13. The Dolphins believe he will play again in 2025. Julian Hill, Tanner Conner and Greg Dulcich are set to fill in while Waller's sidelined.
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Dolphins' Darren Waller: Lands on IR
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The Dolphins placed Waller (pectoral) on IR on Wednesday.
With Waller slated to miss at least four games due to the strained pectoral he sustained during Week 7 action, Julian Hill, Tanner Conner and Greg Dulcich are slated to handle Miami's TE duties in the meantime. The soonest Waller can return from IR is Nov. 30, following the Dolphins' Week 12 bye.
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Dolphins' Darren Waller: Labeled week-to-week
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Waller is considered week-to-week due to a strained pectoral that the Dolphins do not believe will require surgery, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Waller was forced out of Miami's loss to the Browns in Week 7 after playing just 15 offensive snaps without recording a catch, and he now appears to be trending in the wrong direction for Sunday's matchup against the Falcons. With the Dolphins already without Tyreek Hill (torn ACL) for the rest of the season, an absence for any stretch of time on Waller's part will be a significant blow to a passing game that's already struggling. Tight ends Julian Hill and Tanner Conner will benefit from increased workloads Week 8 if Waller can't go, as will wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine in the No. 3 role behind Jaylen Waddle and Malik Washington. Head coach Mike McDaniel said Monday that Waller isn't expected to be available versus Atlanta or on Thursday Night Football against the Ravens in Week 9, per Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network.
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Dolphins' Darren Waller: Won't return Sunday
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Waller (pectoral) won't return to Sunday's game against the Browns.
Prior to his exit, Waller didn't record a catch. In his absence, Julian Hill and Tanner Conner will handle Miami's TE duties versus Cleveland. Waller's next chance to see game action will be next Sunday against the Falcons.
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Dolphins' Darren Waller: Exits with injury Sunday
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Waller is questionable to return to Sunday's game versus the Browns due to a pectoral injury.
Waller did not record a reception before he was ruled questionable to return just before halftime, and it's unclear exactly when or how he was forced to exit. In the 33-year-old's absence, Julian Hill should fill in as Miami's TE1 for the time being.
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Dolphins' Darren Waller: Bust Alert (Start/Sit)
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Waller has been great for Fantasy managers so far in the three games he's played thanks to four touchdowns. But what happens if he doesn't score? We almost found out in Week 6 against the Chargers when he finished with two catches for 12 yards on three targets -- with a touchdown. This week, Waller is facing a Browns defense that has limited the production of Mark Andrews (1.4 PPR points), Tucker Kraft (5.9 PPR points), Sam LaPorta (6.9 PPR points) and T.J. Hockenson (9.8 PPR points). None of those tight ends found the end zone, and we'll see if Waller can keep his touchdown streak alive on the road. He's a low-end starter at best in the majority of leagues for Week 7.
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Dolphins' Darren Waller: Another limited practice
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Waller (hip/rest) was limited in practice Thursday, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.
Waller has consistently had his practice reps capped this season as part of a load management plan, so there's not yet any reason to worry that his availability for Sunday's game against the Browns is truly in jeopardy. It's possible that Waller could carry an injury designation for Week 7, but barring any actual setbacks the veteran tight end figures to take the field on the road versus Cleveland.
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Dolphins' Darren Waller: Limited Wednesday
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Waller (hip/rest) was limited in practice Wednesday, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.
Waller continues to have his practice reps capped due to a load management plan, though his gameday workload has now increased in three consecutive weeks. The veteran tight end handled a season-high 69 percent of offensive snaps during Miami's loss to the Chargers in Week 6, securing two of three targets for 12 yards and a touchdown. Waller has scored in all three of his appearances with the Dolphins this season. He'll face a challenge to keep up that streak on the road against the Browns' vaunted defense on Sunday, though if Cleveland's pass rush forces Tua Tagovailoa to rely heavily on short-area passes, it could result in increased target volume for Waller.
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Dolphins' Darren Waller: Cleared despite limited practices
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Waller (hip/rest) doesn't carry an injury designation into Sunday's game against the Chargers, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.
Waller was a limited participant Thursday and Friday after failing to practice Wednesday, but he'll be available for Week 6 action. The veteran tight end has thrived since recovering from a hip injury that sidelined him through Week 3, posting eight catches for 105 yards and three touchdowns across two games since making his Dolphins debut.
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Dolphins' Darren Waller: Limited in practice Thursday
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Waller (hip/rest) was limited at practice Thursday, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.
Waller was deemed a DNP on Wednesday, but his return to a limited session Thursday has him trending toward being available Sunday against the Chargers, and quite possibly without a Week 6 injury designation, as was the case last week after the tight end logged three straight limited listings. With that in mind, it's worth noting that Furones previously relayed via Dolphins TEs coach Jon Embree that Waller is a candidate to continue to see an uptick in playing time after increasing from 16 to 32 snaps between his first and second game back from being sidelined Weeks 1-3.
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Dolphins' Darren Waller: Back at practice Thursday
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Waller (hip/rest) is participating in Thursday's practice, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.
Waller sat out practice Wednesday, though it seems he's simply continuing to have his reps managed. The veteran tight end ramped up his playing time Week 5, handling 58 percent of offensive snaps, and despite playing a part-time role across his two appearances thus far, he's managed to produce an impactful 8-105-3 receiving line on nine targets. With Tyreek Hill (knee) out for the year, Waller seems to have solidified himself as one of the focal points of Miami's offense, joining WR Jaylen Waddle and RB De'Von Achane. Waller will work to gain clearance for Week 6 and keep up his momentum at home against the Chargers on Sunday.
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Dolphins' Darren Waller: Listed as DNP on Wednesday
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Waller (rest/hip) was listed as a non-participant in Wednesday's practice, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.
It sounds like it was more of a rest day than anything else for the veteran tight end, who missed all of training camp and the preseason with the hip injury. After playing 27 percent of the offensive snaps in his Week 4 debut, Waller's playing time skyrocketed to 58 percent in Week 5. Through two games, Waller has a productive 8-105-3 receiving line on nine targets and has put himself in the fantasy TE1 conversation moving forward due to Tyreek Hill (knee) being done for the season.
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Dolphins' Darren Waller: Stays limited in practice
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Waller (hip/rest) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.
Though Waller's reps were capped for the second day in a row, the presumption is that his limitations were maintenance-related as the Dolphins ease up on his practice load following his recent return from a hip injury. Despite playing just 16 of the Dolphins' 58 offensive snaps in his team debut in Monday's 27-21 win over the Jets, Waller made his presence felt during his time on the field with three catches for 27 yards and two touchdowns on four targets. With Miami losing star wideout Tyreek Hill (knee) for the season in Week 4, Waller could be in line for increased involvement in the passing attack in the games to come. For his part, Waller told Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald that he believes he can handle a jump in his snap count in Sunday's game against the Panthers, if the coaching staff feels he's ready for that.
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Dolphins' Darren Waller: Limited in practice Wednesday
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Waller (hip/rest) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.
Waller's limited practice activity appears to be at least partially related to maintenance. The veteran tight end made his team debut during Monday's 27-21 win over the Jets and was highly productive despite playing just 25 percent of offensive snaps, as he secured three of four targets for 27 yards and two touchdowns. The Dolphins figure to continue taking a cautious approach to ramping up Waller's activity, but it will be crucial for him to begin playing closer to a starting role sooner than later with Tyreek Hill (knee) out for the remainder of the season. Waller's next chance to increase his snap count will come Sunday on the road against Carolina.
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Dolphins' Darren Waller: Week 5 Waiver Priority List
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Waller made his Dolphins debut in Week 4 against the Jets, and he made a splash with three catches for 27 yards and two touchdowns on four targets. Tyreek Hill (knee) was injured against the Jets, and Waller could be looking at a big role moving forward. Last year, the Dolphins got tremendous production from Jonnu Smith, who averaged 13.1 PPR points per game. Waller has the chance to be a must-start Fantasy tight end for the rest of the season, and he's worth adding in all leagues for at least 15 percent of your remaining FAB.
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Dolphins' Darren Waller: Remains limited Friday
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Waller (hip) remained limited at practice Friday, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.
Following back-to-back limited practices, Waller is trending toward a return to action Monday night against the Jets, with Furones noting that in such a scenario, the tight end would likely be eased in on certain packages in which he can be featured. In any case, Saturday's final injury report will reveal whether Waller carries a Week 4 designation, but in terms of his initial fantasy viability, a wait-and-see approach is probably in order.
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Dolphins' Darren Waller: Limited in practice Thursday
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Waller (hip) was limited in Thursday's practice, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.
Waller is ramping up his activity and remains on track to make his 2025 season debut Monday night against the Jets, though coach Mike McDaniel has already stated the veteran tight end will be on a snap count. It's unclear how much Waller has left in the tank at 33-years-old, especially dealing with an injury after sitting out the entire 2024 campaign.
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Dolphins' Darren Waller: To have snap count in debut
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Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel said Monday that Waller (hip) remains on track to make his team debut Week 4 against the Jets but will be on a snap count, Hal Habib of The Palm Beach Post reports.
McDaniel said Waller's reps will be limited to "a situational snap count or a package-type thing" versus New York on Monday Night Football on Sept. 29. Waller's presence figures to provide a much-needed boost for Miami's stagnant offense, especially in the red zone, though fantasy managers will likely want to get a chance to monitor how the veteran tight end looks in his first NFL action since 2023 before trusting him in weekly lineups.
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Dolphins' Darren Waller: Ruled out for TNF
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Waller (hip) is officially ruled out for Thursday's game against the Bills, Marcel Louis-Jacques of ESPN.com reports.
Waller managed to string together a trio of limited practice sessions, but he nonetheless won't be cleared to retake the field on a short week leading up to Thursday's contest. The veteran tight end figures to have a more realistic chance to make his regular-season debut Week 4 against the Jets in a Monday Night Football matchup on Sept. 29. Julian Hill and Tanner Conner will continue to split reps at the TE position for Miami on Thursday.
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Dolphins' Darren Waller: Logs limited practice Tuesday
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Waller (hip) was a limited participant at the Dolphins' practice Tuesday, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.
Waller is considered unlikely to play Thursday night against the Bills, but his ability to practice in any capacity Tuesday is a step in the right direction. Head coach Mike McDaniel said Tuesday in reference to both Waller and running back Jaylen Wright (knee) that the team will "see how the rest of the week goes," and that "they're putting their best foot forward." Waller will likely have to set his sights on making his Dolphins debut in Week 4 versus the Jets on Monday Night Football.
