The Miami Dolphins find themselves in a bit of a tough spot heading into Week 3. They have lost their first two games in embarrassing fashion, and now, they have a short week, as they will kick off Week 3 by playing on Thursday Night Football. And if that wasn’t bad enough, they will be taking on the 2-0 Buffalo Bills when they play next.
It goes without saying that the Dolphins desperately need a win, but beating the Bills on a short week is going to be a tall task. It also doesn’t help that one of their top offensive playmakers, wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, is questionable to play due to a shoulder injury. Ahead of the game, though, he received a positive injury update that will surely make Miami happy.
Dolphins Hopeful Jaylen Waddle Can Play in Week 3
Ever since getting selected with the No. 6 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, Waddle has been a key piece of the Dolphins’ offense. Pairing him up alongside Tyreek Hill gave quarterback Tua Tagovailoa one of the top wide receiver tandems in the league, and for a point in time, it made Miami’s offense one of the best units in the league.
Things went sideways in 2024, as the Dolphins’ offense struggled, and Waddle’s production took a hit. After racking up at least 1,000 receiving yards in each of his first three seasons, Waddle caught just 58 passes for 744 yards and two touchdowns in 15 games last year. The hope was that Waddle and company could get back on track in 2025, and while he has nine catches for 98 yards and a touchdown in two games, it hasn’t been enough to lead his team to victory.
In Miami’s Week 2 loss to the New England Patriots, Waddle suffered a shoulder injury that has thrown his status for Week 3 up in the air. According to NFL insider Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Waddle is going to have to test his shoulder out pregame, but there is reportedly hope that he will be able to take the field on Thursday night.
“Jaylen Waddle suffered a shoulder injury in last week’s game. He is officially listed as questionable. (He’s) gonna work out pregame and hope he is able to go, but no guarantees early on,” Rapoport said on “Good Morning Football.”
Dolphins Desperately Need Jaylen Waddle to Play in Week 3
GettyJaylen Waddle walking off of the field.
Through two games, Tagovailoa hasn’t looked totally comfortable under center for the Dolphins, even though he has Hill, Waddle, and running back De’Von Achane at his disposal. If one of these guys is forced to miss time, it will only make moving the ball on offense more difficult, which is the main reason why Waddle is so crucial to the team’s game plan against the Bills.
While Waddle seems to be tracking to play currently, he still has some hurdles that he needs to clear before he can take the field. Assuming he does that, though, he will suit up and attempt to help Miami pull off a shocking upset victory over Buffalo. Kickoff for this game is scheduled for 8:15 p.m. ET, and Waddle’s status will be worth checking before the action gets underway.
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