Who Should I Start? Darren Waller or Harold Fannin Jr.

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.

Friday, January 2, 1:39 PM

Cleveland Browns rookie tight end Harold Fannin Jr. (groin) has officially been ruled out for the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday against the division-rival Cincinnati Bengals, according to Scott Petrak of Browns Zone. Fannin injured his groin on a touchdown reception in last week's upset win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. The 21-year-old was unable to practice all week and will miss the final game of what has been an exceptional first year in the NFL. Despite the presence of David Njoku (knee), who will also miss Week 18, Fannin led the Browns in catches (72), targets (107), receiving yards (731), and touchdowns (six). Fannin has a bright future ahead of him as a pass-catching TE, and he'll be on the TE1 radar in fantasy drafts in the fall. Blake Whiteheart, Brenden Bates, and Sal Cannella will form a TE committee for the Browns in Week 18.