Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle left Sunday night’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles late in the first half with a back injury. Here is the latest information.
Latest Jaylen Waddle Injury Update
The NBC broadcast team reported that Waddle complained of back pain, and had a heating back on the injury while the Eagles were on offense. After giving it a try on Miami’s next possession, Waddle went to the locker room, walking very slowly.
The pain got so bad, Waddle went to the ground at one point on the sidelines.
Jaylen Waddle just walked to the locker room with several heating pads on his back. While not confirmed, here's the play where the injury may have occurred.
📽 @houtz pic.twitter.com/1tE8vOawN9
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) October 23, 2023
The Dolphins officially listed Waddle as questionable to return. But he ultimately returned to the game late in the third quarter after getting treatment on the back for an hour.
The injury occurred in the midst of the Dolphins’ worst offensive half of the season.
When he went to the locker room, the Eagles led 17-3, with just 36 yards of offense on 14 plays. When he returned, the Dolphins trailed 24-17.
The other active Dolphins wide receivers Sunday are Tyreek Hill, Cedrick Wilson, Chase Claypool, and Braxton Berrios.
Fantasy Implications of Jaylen Waddle’s Injury
Tyreek Hill’s involvement can only grow so much (30.6% target share through six weeks) and there isn’t a secondary receiver of interest in most fantasy leagues.
Waddle sitting would lower the ceiling of Tua Tagovailoa, but not enough to knock him out of the “you start him every week” tier. The focus on the run game stands to elevate the status of Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson. Mostert is already a weekly option, but Wilson could find himself on the Flex radar sooner rather than later given the potency of this offense. Make sure he is rostered in your league, and get ready to potentially use him next week against the Patriots.