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.

Friday, November 7, 10:59 AM

Since returning from a foot injury that delayed his start to the 2025 season, Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely has seen minimal usage in his team's passing game. Across five games played, the 25-year-old has hauled in eight catches for 86 yards on nine targets. However, Likely is coming off his best game of the season in Week 9, recording three catches for 60 yards on four targets against the Miami Dolphins. Week 9 was also the first time Likely has shared the field with star Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson for a full game. Across 16 games with Jackson in 2024, Likely recorded 42 catches for 477 yards and six touchdowns on 58 targets. Likely's fantasy ceiling is limited by the presence of veteran Ravens tight end Mark Andrews. However, his stock is trending upwards heading into a Week 10 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings now that Jackson is back in the fold.