Is the new quadriceps injury that’s bothering Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle a big deal?
Miami coach Mike McDaniel was asked about it for the first time Friday, his final media availability ahead of the Dolphins’ Week 8 game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Will Jaylen Waddle Play in Week 8?
McDaniel told reporters Friday that he’s “very optimistic” Waddle will play.
How effective he will be remains to be seen.
The first sign Waddle was in discomfort was the Wednesday injury report, which listed him as a limited participant with the quad.
The team never announced an injury during last Sunday’s game against the Indianapolis Colts. Waddle played 59 of a possible 69 snaps against the Colts, but he wasn’t particularly productive, catching just one pass for 11 yards on two targets.
Waddle not only practiced both Wednesday and Thursday, but the team made him available to reporters midweek, which suggested that the issue was not serious.
On Friday afternoon, the Dolphins released their official injury report, and it lined up with Waddle being out on the practice field again. He was listed as a full participant and did not receive an injury designation.
While Waddle’s availability is good news for Tua Tagovailoa’s return to the gridiron, Tyreek Hill’s status is more concerning. After a limited practice Thursday, Hill was a DNP on Friday and is officially questionable for Sunday.
Miami Dolphins WR Depth Chart Overview
After missing three full games and parts of several others in 2023 with a long list of injuries, including a concussion and chest and ankle issues, Waddle has started every game in 2024.
If Waddle goes Sunday, it’ll be a boon to a Dolphins offense expected to get back Tua Tagovailoa, who has been out the last four games with a concussion.
In the zone 🔒 pic.twitter.com/bBuucsdx3v
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) October 23, 2024
If Waddle cannot go, the Dolphins will be quite thin at wide receiver, particularly with Braxton Berrios out for the season and Tyreek Hill dealing with a foot injury.
The next men up are Odell Beckham Jr. (zero catches on three targets this year) and Malik Washington (three catches for 17 yards on four targets). The Dolphins could also call up Dee Eskridge, Erik Ezukanma, or Tarik Black from the practice squad.
The Dolphins surely want maximum participation from their wide receiver room to help Tagovailoa get back up to speed.
“Extremely happy,” Waddle said of Tagovailoa’s return this week. “Everything he had to overcome to get back on the field, it’s a blessing to have him out there and see him out there throwing the ball, catching balls from him again. Yeah, it was nice.”