According to NFL insider Tom Pelissero, the Miami Dolphins have activated tight end Darren Waller from injured reserve. Waller will be on the field on Sunday, Nov. 30 when they take on the New Orleans Saints.
Waller has been out since week seven, when he suffered a pectoral injury in a game against the Cleveland Browns. The tight end also missed the first three weeks of the season with a hip injury.
Waller had retired from the game of football after the 2023 season, but returned to the NFL this season with Miami. In his four games played, he only caught 10 passes for 117 yards; though four of those 10 catches were for touchdowns.
Miami’s top red zone target will return as the Dolphins continue to claw to remain in the AFC playoff picture.
Tight End Production Should Get a Boost With Waller Back
With Waller out, Miami has rotated through three tight ends: Tanner Conner, Julian Hill, and Greg Dulcich. The three have combined for just 28 receptions for 271 yards and zero touchdowns.
At this point in his career, Waller isn’t the downfield threat he once was, but he is still one of, if not the best red zone weapons on the roster because of his size and physicality. He’ll likely become the No. 1 red zone target for Tua Tagovailoa.
Waller’s return will hopefully boost what has been a very inconsistent offense in his absence. In the game he went down, the Dolphins scored just six points against Cleveland. Though they scored 34 and 30 in games against Atlanta and Buffalo, they were only able to muster six against the Baltimore Ravens and 16 against a depleted Washington Commanders D.
In the three games Waller played before the Browns game where he was injured, Miami had 27, 24, and 27 points again.
The first game or two back for Waller may see him play few snaps outside of the red zone in order to let him ramp back up to football speed. His presence will nonetheless add a more dynamic aspect to the Dolphins offensive attack, which will need to be nearly perfect if they want to make a run at the playoffs.
Are Playoffs Still Possible For Miami?
On paper, the Dolphins are still mathematically alive in the playoff picture; on life support for sure, but still technically alive. They have two very winnable games upcoming against the Saints and New York Jets, which would bring them to 6-7 heading into the final four games of the season.
That’s when the schedule toughens up again. Miami’s final four games are against the Pittsburgh Steelers, the revamped Cincinnati Bengals, a desperate Tampa Bay Buccaneers team, and the AFC leading New England Patriots.
I’ll play into the unlikely plot of the Dolphins making a run into the playoffs: let’s say they take care of business against New Orleans and New York, and are then able to upset the inconsistent Steelers, bringing them to 7-7. That then makes their game against Cincinnati must-see TV, as the Bengals have an outside shot at winning the AFC North. Tampa Bay will likely give the Dolphins their toughest battle as they are looking to claw into the NFC playoffs as well.
New England may be comfortably set in their playoff position in week 18, meaning they may rest some of their big guns giving Miami a chance.
Would I bet on this, or recommend anyone bet on this? Absolutely not.
But it’s the NFL, anything can happen in the final month.
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