Who Should I Start? Darren Waller or Tyler Higbee

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.

Tuesday, January 6, 6:45 PM

Los Angeles Rams tight end Tyler Higbee (ankle) was listed as a limited participant on the team's estimated injury report on Tuesday, per Sarah Barshop of ESPN. Higbee is managing an ankle injury that caused him to miss six regular-season contests. The 33-year-old veteran came off Injured Reserve to play in the Week 18 regular-season finale against the Arizona Cardinals, though, and he played 64% of the snaps on his way to catching five of his six targets for 91 yards and a touchdown in his first game back. Higbee should be fine to suit up for the Wild-Card playoff game on the road against the Carolina Panthers after not suffering a setback with his ankle injury. The Rams also have Colby Parkinson and rookie Terrance Ferguson (hamstring), and they are expected to get receiver Davante Adams (hamstring) back after a three-game absence. View Higbee as a touchdown-dependent, low-end TE1 in fantasy this weekend.