Who Should I Start? Darren Waller or Isaiah Likely

Friday, October 24, 1:09 PM

Miami Dolphins tight end Darren Waller's pectoral injury is not season-ending, according to head coach Mike McDaniel. Waller suffered a pectoral injury in the Week 7 loss to the Cleveland Browns and was placed on Injured Reserve on Wednesday, but he should be able to make it back this season. However, the 33-year-old veteran will need to miss at least four games and will not be eligible to return for Miami until Week 13. In the meantime, the team will have to make due with a combination of Julian Hill (ankle), Tanner Conner, and Greg Dulcich at the position in an offense that already lost star receiver Tyreek Hill (knee) for the year. Fantasy managers should be avoiding Miami's TE situation until Waller can return. Waller, who came out of retirement after not playing at all in 2024, got a late start in 2025 due to another injury, but he scored four touchdowns in his first three games before getting injured in Week 7.

Saturday, November 15, 8:06 AM

Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely hasn't really found a groove this season like he did at certain points last year. His best game was in Week 9 against the Miami Dolphins when he collected three receptions for 60 yards and finished as the TE18 in half-PPR formats. Coming into a Week 11 matchup with the Cleveland Browns, Likely holds a bit more value with Rashod Bateman (ankle) and Justice Hill (toe) both being sidelined. Mark Andrews and Zay Flowers will probably remain the top two targets, however, and the Browns have only allowed five touchdowns to tight ends all season. That means Likely is still projected as a low-end TE2 who shouldn't be counted on in standard leagues.