Who Should I Start? Darren Waller or Colston Loveland

Friday, January 2, 12:55 PM

Miami Dolphins tight end Darren Waller (groin) will be placed on Injured Reserve on Friday, according to Marcel Louis-Jacques of ESPN. Waller will miss the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday versus the division-rival New England Patriots. The 33-year-old veteran came out of retirement to play for the Dolphins in 2025 and will finish with 24 catches for 283 yards and six touchdowns in only nine games played. Waller got a late start to the season as he worked his way into playing shape and also missed time with a hamstring injury. He was not the same player he was earlier in his career with the Raiders, but Waller still had plenty of red-zone prowess in his return this year. It remains to be seen if he'll attempt to return in 2026 with Miami or another organization. Greg Dulcich should be the Dolphins' top pass-catching TE in Week 18.

Wednesday, January 7, 4:18 PM

Chicago Bears rookie tight end Colston Loveland put together a fantastic regular season, recording 58 receptions (82 targets) for a team-leading 713 receiving yards and six touchdowns in 16 games. Loveland paced the Bears' passing game in Week 18's loss to the Lions, bringing in 10 of 13 targets for 91 yards and a touchdown. The budding star continued his late-season surge and is trending favorably heading into Chicago's Wild-Card matchup against the division-rival Green Bay Packers. Green Bay has allowed the 13th-most catches per game (5.6) and the sixth-fewest yards per game (44.9) to tight ends this season, with Loveland totaling seven catches for 59 yards and a touchdown in their two regular-season meetings. Receiver Rome Odunze (foot) is expected to return on Saturday after missing the previous five games, which could take some targets away from Loveland. The 21-year-old Loveland still profiles as one of the best tight end options for fantasy managers in playoff leagues and should be in all lineups.