DECEMBER 31: Waddle may miss the Dolphins’ regular season finale as well, but he is expected back for Miami’s first postseason contest, whenever that might be, as Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network reports (video link).
DECEMBER 29: As expected, Waddle will not play against the Ravens in Week 17. McDaniel ruled out the third-year speedster for Sunday’s pivotal matchup against the Ravens. While the second-year HC did not call this a severe injury and pointed to Waddle’s ability to recover quickly, Week 18 looms as his earliest possible return date.
DECEMBER 25: Coming out of a crucial win against the Cowboys, the Dolphins have one of their starting wide receivers facing a cloudy outlook as 2024 nears. Tests are ongoing, but Mike McDaniel said Monday (via ESPN.com’s Marcel Louis-Jacques) the injury that forced Jaylen Waddle out of Sunday’s matchup looks like a high ankle sprain.
The Dolphins, who were iffy to have Tyreek Hill available for Week 16 due to an ankle injury, lost Waddle with what was initially believed to be a shin malady. McDaniel’s update makes this a bit more concerning, especially given the Dolphins’ upcoming schedule and push for their first AFC East title since 2008.
Waddle left the Miami-Dallas matchup twice due to injury, not returning after the second instance. While the Dolphins prevailed without their younger speed merchant, this would be an obvious setback — especially considering the number of injuries they have sustained on offense. Miami played Sunday without four starting offensive linemen, with only Terron Armstead — who has again missed time due to injury previously this season — available. The AFC East leaders have been able to withstand these nagging issues, moving to 11-4 and qualifying for the playoffs for a second straight year. But Waddle’s status will obviously be worth monitoring.
McDaniel expressed optimism about his No. 2 wideout, but high ankle maladies often sideline players for multiple weeks. The Dolphins close the season with games against the Ravens and Bills. A loss in Baltimore and Buffalo defeating New England would make the rivals’ Week 18 tilt for the AFC East championship.
Waddle has only missed two games over the course of his pro career, but an ankle fracture caused the 2021 first-round pick to miss seven games during his final Alabama season. The overqualified Hill sidekick snared a 50-yard reception against the Cowboys before leaving Sunday, putting him over 1,000 receiving yards for a third straight year. Considering Waddle’s importance to the team, it would be a surprise if the Dolphins considered an IR move here.
Don’t worry Miami; Tua has receipts!
Limping to the finish, literally now.
Bills all but guaranteed the AFCE title…Baltimore will crush Miami and the fish have no healthy answers…Phillip’s, Baker, O-line and now Waddle…plus whoever gets hurt vs Baltimore
With the way our season has went we are probably going to lose to New England and then go into Miami and absolutely destroy them.
A Buffalo loss to the bottom-feeder Patriots will gift Miami the AFC East and a top-4 seed. Bills have to keep winning as they lose tie-breakers vs. most everyone else.
“Gift.” Because going 11-4 obviously means they’ve done nothing to earn it. I actually feel good about this. Allen will do his usual fade when the stakes get high.
Just to refresh your memory, the Dolphins got lit up for 48 when they played in Buffalo in October. Until the Dallas game Miami hadn’t beaten anyone with a winning record.
Allen’s “fade” was Dorsey induced. Thankful that that chapter is over.
Fins will need to catch a few breaks and lucky bounces to win in Charm City and hope Ravens are reading their press clippings after dog walking the Niners in the beatdown on Christmas night.
So he’s ‘ducked’ an IR stint
Dolphins have also ruled their TD leader Raheem Mostert out for the Baltimore game. Miami didn’t want to risk his barking knee and ankle in the cold Baltimore weather.