Miami Dolphins tight end Darren Waller missed the first three games of the season with a hip injury, but he has made a huge impact in the last two weeks. He had two touchdowns against the Jets in his first game after returning following a year in retirement, and he found the end zone again in Week 5 against the Panthers. His snap count jumped from 16 (28%) in his debut to 32 (58%) in his second game back, and he should continue to get as much run as he can handle. Last year, Jonnu Smith was a productive tight end with Tua Tagovailoa, and Waller looks like he can be as he ramps up this season. Waller will help carry the load for Miami with Tyreek Hill (knee) out for the season, as Jaylen Waddle takes over the top receiver role. He's a fringe TE1 at this point, but if he stays healthy, it looks like he'll be able to be a solid standard-league starter in favorable matchups.
Oct 7, 2025 10:35 AM EST
Miami Dolphins tight end Darren Waller hauled in all five of his targets for 78 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 27-24 loss to the Carolina Panthers. Waller was in line for a big afternoon, after all five of his receptions came in the first half, and his touchdown came from four yards out to put the Dolphins up 17-0 at the time. What is most encouraging is that he also hauled in a 34-yard and 21-yard reception, showing that he is more than just a red zone threat for his quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa. This marks his second straight game with a touchdown and demonstrates a reliable floor when healthy. With presumed increased volume, Waller belongs in the TE1 conversations and should be rostered based on his red-zone upside. In addition, he was third on the team in targets, behind Jaylen Waddle and De'Von Achane.
Oct 6, 2025 9:50 AM EST
Miami Dolphins tight end Darren Waller caught all five of his targets for 78 yards and one touchdown during Sunday's Week 5 loss to the Carolina Panthers. The veteran pass catcher was primarily involved in the first half, as all five catches came within the first 20 minutes of the contest. We'd like to see him contribute steadily throughout the whole game, but we also know that fantasy managers won't complain about a 78-yard, one-touchdown showing from a tight end, regardless of the timestamps when he caught each pass. Waller has scored at least 17.7 fantasy points (PPR) in each of his first two games back from retirement, ranking as the overall TE2 in fantasy football over the last two weeks. His volume and scoring ability instantly make him a top streaming option for Week 6, as he should rank as a top-12 fantasy tight end in his matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Oct 6, 2025 1:07 AM EST
Miami Dolphins tight end Darren Waller caught two touchdown passes in his season debut last week, but fantasy managers should temper expectations for the veteran pass catcher heading into Week 5 against the Carolina Panthers. After all, Waller only caught three passes on a 28 percent snap share last week. Not only is scoring two touchdowns on that level of volume very rare, but so is merely having fantasy relevance. He'd likely need to start playing at least half of the snaps before warranting some fantasy consideration, especially in Miami's subpar offense. Of course, there's a chance that his workload could increase this weekend. He has cleared the hurdle of playing his first game back from injury and could be more involved by necessity after fellow pass catcher Tyreek Hill (knee) was lost for the rest of the season. Managers in deeper leagues can justify stashing Waller on their benches, but he shouldn't be started in fantasy football if he's going to continue playing less than one-third of the snaps.
Oct 5, 2025 9:26 AM EST
Miami Dolphins tight end Darren Waller made an immediate impact in Week 4 with three catches on four targets for 47 yards and two touchdowns. He'll look to continue his big contributions in Week 5 against the Panthers, who have been a favorable matchup for tight ends this season. Waller only played 16 snaps (28%) in his return from retirement, but he said he's ready for "a jump" in his snap count if that's what his coaches want. Without Tyreek Hill (knee), Waller could be the second option for Tua Tagovailoa behind top receiver Jaylen Waddle. He should find space to work against the Panthers, who have allowed the second-most yards per game to the position in the NFL. Waller is still volatile after just a one-week sample size, but he's a viable emergency option as RotoBaller's TE16 this week.
Oct 4, 2025 11:25 AM EST
Miami Dolphins tight end Darren Waller (hip, rest) projects to become a more prominent figure in the team's pass attack following the injury to wide receiver Tyreek Hill (knee). Waller made his season debut in Week 4's win over the New York Jets, hauling in two touchdowns on 3-of-4 receiving in his first appearance since Week 18 of 2023. The veteran's volume should increase as the Fins continue ramping up his workload, but even more promising was his work in the red zone. Despite logging just 16 snaps on Monday, Waller's two targets inside the 20-yard line match him with two other players on the team behind Jaylen Waddle (five). Miami hasn't had a big, imposing target like the 33-year-old in recent history, making him an asset to monitor ahead of their outing with the hosting Carolina Panthers this weekend.
Oct 3, 2025 11:26 AM EST
Miami Dolphins tight end Darren Waller said Wednesday that his snap count is likely to increase in the coming weeks, according to Miami reporter Barry Jackson. The veteran tight had quite a debut for the Dolphins in Week 4, catching three passes for 27 yards and two touchdowns on just four targets and 16 total snaps. Miami has eased Waller back into action this season, but he figures to keep gaining more time after Monday night. With receiver Tyreek Hill (knee) out for the foreseeable future, Waller could quickly become one of the team's top pass-catching options alongside receiver Jaylen Waddle and running back De'Von Achane.
Oct 2, 2025 9:56 AM EST
Miami Dolphins tight end Darren Waller caught three of four targets for 27 yards and two touchdowns on Monday night against the Dolphins. In his first game since January 2024, Waller caught two touchdowns, including a highlight catch rising over Sauce Gardner. It was the third two-touchdown game of his career. The 33-year-old moved well and looked good for the most part after missing a lot of time. He played only 25% of the snaps in the first week back, but that number should increase as he gets conditioned and acclimated. With Tyreek Hill injured and likely out for the season, other Miami pass catchers will have to step up, which could open a window for Waller. His value as a red zone threat is clear, and his role in the offense could expand. He'll be a name to consider on waiver wires this week.
Sep 30, 2025 12:41 AM EST
Miami Dolphins tight end Darren Waller (hip) does not have an injury status for Monday Night Football against the Jets, setting him up for his first action of the season. The 33-year-old had a few huge years with the Raiders but has not played a game since the 2023 season. The Dolphins lured him out of retirement this year, but he hasn't been able to play due to a hip issue. It's very uncertain what he'll be ready to contribute on Monday Night Football against the Jets, who have been fairly good against tight ends this season. He is worth a stash from the waiver wire if you are desperate for a tight end solution. However, it seems unlikely that Waller will have a huge role right away. He's the TE37 in RotoBaller's Week 4 rankings, so he isn't an option to play this week, even though he is worth watching to evaluate his future potential.
Sep 28, 2025 7:27 AM EST
Miami Dolphins tight end Darren Waller (hip) doesn't carry an injury designation for Monday's Week 4 matchup against the New York Jets. Finally, Waller is ready to make his season debut after missing the first three games due to a hip issue. This marks the first time that Waller has played in a game since the 2023 season. That being said, fantasy managers can't be certain what they're going to get from the 33-year-old. Waller could be worth a stash for tight end needy fantasy managers. However, it's unlikely that Waller is going to have a huge role in the offense during his first game.
Sep 27, 2025 6:24 PM EST
Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel said tight end Darren Waller "looks firmly ready to contribute," according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. The veteran tight end came out of retirement to sign with Miami, which has treaded cautiously with him prior to making his team debut. Waller, now 33, hasn't played a game in two years after sitting out all of 2024, but looks set to play Monday against the New York Jets. On a Miami offense that has looked lost for most of this year, Waller has an opportunity for targets right away, but his biggest value will likely be in deeper leagues that start two tight ends.
Sep 27, 2025 2:04 PM EST
Miami Dolphins tight end Darren Waller (hip) is expected to make his season debut on Monday Night Football against the Jets. Waller came out of retirement this offseason and was traded to Miami to help replace Jonnu Smith, who posted a strong 2024 campaign. However, injuries have kept Waller sidelined for the first three games of 2025. His return provides a boost of excitement for the Dolphins' offense, but expectations should be tempered. The Jets have been solid against tight ends, allowing the sixth-fewest receiving yards to the position this season. Combined with the likelihood of a limited snap count, Waller is not a startable option in Week 4, though he could develop into a streaming candidate if his role grows.
Sep 27, 2025 11:56 AM EST
Miami Dolphins tight end Darren Waller (hip) was a limited participant during Friday's practice session. This marks back-to-back days that Waller has been able to get through a limited practice. Waller is trending in the right direction to make his season debut against the New York Jets in Week 4. It seems likely that the Dolphins would ease Waller into action. The 33-year-old would probably be under a snap count during his first game. He's worth a stash for tight end needy fantasy managers, but isn't a recommended streaming option for Week 4.
Sep 26, 2025 9:12 PM EST
Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel said that tight end Darren Waller (hip) will practice this week and is expected to make his debut with the team next Monday night in Week 4 against the division-rival New York Jets, according to The Palm Beach Post's Hal Habib. If Waller is officially active against the Jets for the first time this year, as expected, he will be on a snap count. "Yes, it's probably more situational. I wouldn't go to all these lengths, have this buildup, and throw him out there for 60 (snaps). I kind of have an idea what it is," McDaniel said. The 33-year-old came out of retirement to join the Dolphins this year, so it's not really a surprise he'll be limited in his first real game action in over a year. Waller should give Miami's struggling offense a boost, but he should not be in any starting fantasy lineups in Week 4. For now, Waller is merely a bench stash for TE depth in deeper leagues.
Sep 22, 2025 3:52 PM EST
Miami Dolphins tight end Darren Waller (hip) was "super close" to playing in Thursday night's divisional matchup against the Buffalo Bills, according to head coach Mike McDaniel. With that said, McDaniel expects Waller to make his debut with the team in another divisional tilt in Week 4 against the New York Jets on Monday, Sept. 29, according to David Furones of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Waller might have been able to play had the Dolphins faced Buffalo on Sunday this week instead of Thursday. The 33-year-old veteran had back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2019 and 2020 before injuries set in. Waller retired after one year with the New York Giants in 2023. He spent all of training camp trying to get his conditioning up to speed before a hip injury caused him to miss the first three games. Expect Miami to ease Waller in if he's active in Week 4. At best, he's a TE2 stash right now in deeper fantasy formats.
Sep 19, 2025 12:07 PM EST
The Miami Dolphins created buzz in July when they signed previously retired tight end Darren Waller, but through two weeks, the 33-year-old has yet to make his debut. Waller last played in 2023 with the Giants, posting 552 yards and 52 catches, but questions remain about whether he can regain his form. For now, the Dolphins have leaned exclusively on Tanner Conner at tight end, who has managed just two receptions for 20 yards on four targets this season. Miami's offense has struggled to find consistent balance, and while the passing attack should feature plenty of Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle (if active), the lack of production at tight end remains a glaring hole. Fantasy managers should continue to leave Waller on waivers until there's clarity about his role and timeline for return.
Sep 17, 2025 2:31 PM EST
Although Miami Dolphins tight end Darren Waller (hip) is not expected to make his debut with the team in Week 3 on Thursday night against the division-rival Buffalo Bills, the Dolphins listed him as limited on Monday's practice estimation. Waller has yet to practice this year and has been inactive for the first two weeks, so his limited status on Monday doesn't mean a whole lot on a short week. The 33-year-old was focusing on his conditioning for all of training camp and the preseason before suffering a hip injury right before Week 1. Whenever he is finally cleared to make his 2025 debut after coming out of retirement, the Dolphins will likely limit his snaps, making him one to avoid in starting fantasy lineups. The Dolphins are expected to move forward with Julian Hill and Tanner Conner at the position on Thursday, but neither TE is a realistic fantasy play.
Sep 15, 2025 6:31 PM EST
Miami Dolphins tight end Darren Waller (hip) is not expected to play in Thursday's Week 3 contest against the Buffalo Bills, according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. Waller came out of retirement to start a new chapter of his career with Miami this offseason, but his Dolphins debut has been put on hold as he works his way back from a hip injury he suffered during training camp. The veteran hasn't played in an NFL game since 2023 with the Giants, when he caught 52 passes for 552 yards and one touchdown. Even when Waller is healthy enough to play again, he'll be off the fantasy radar given his declining productivity and role in an offense that doesn't emphasize passing to the tight end.
Sep 15, 2025 12:23 AM EST
Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel said that tight end Darren Waller (hip) will be out in Week 2 against the division-rival New England Patriots. Waller has not practiced this week and will miss his second straight game in 2025 after coming out of retirement to join the Dolphins. The 32-year-old was ramping up all summer during training camp after not playing at all in 2024, and he suffered a hip injury in practice last week. His injury doesn't appear to be very serious, but the Dolphins aren't going to take any chances with a player who sat out all of last year. It remains to be seen if Waller will be able to make his Dolphins debut in Week 3 against the division-rival Buffalo Bills, but it's probably unlikely, given that it will be on a short week next Thursday night. Tanner Conner and Julian Hill will continue to fill in at TE, but neither player will be an acceptable fantasy streamer in Week 2.
Sep 12, 2025 12:14 PM EST
Miami Dolphins tight end Darren Waller (hip) was not seen at Wednesday's practice session, according to Marcel Louis-Jacques of ESPN. Head coach Mike McDaniel said he thinks he'll have a better read on Waller's status for Week 2 later in the week, but after Waller did not practice at all last week before being inactive for the Week 1 loss to the Indianapolis Colts, it sure doesn't look like he's trending in the right direction to make his Dolphins debut this Sunday against the division-rival New England Patriots. Fantasy managers in 12-team leagues should be leaving the 32-year-old veteran on the waiver wire for now. If Waller misses a second straight game this weekend, Julian Hill and Tanner Conner will both pick up more playing time, but they won't be recommended fantasy streamers in a Dolphins offense that was putrid in the season opener.
Sep 10, 2025 3:11 PM EST
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