MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle missed his third consecutive practice with an undisclosed injury that, while not considered serious, is a bit troublesome given his medical history.
Waddle missed multiple weeks of training camp in 2023, presaging a painful season for the Dolphins’ WR2.
The Latest Miami Dolphins WR Jaylen Waddle Injury News
Waddle missed three games with an assortment of injuries, including a concussion in 2023. But that doesn’t begin to properly characterize what he went through last year.
He was on the injury report almost every week and was far from 100% for the team’s Wild Card Round loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
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Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel gave this update when asked specifically about Waddle and Braxton Berrios, who has also missed consecutive practices this week:
“Minor stuff, we have a collection of minor things going on,” McDaniel said. “Good news is, they aren’t major things. But some stuff that has been fluctuating the players out there on the field.”
In all, Miami practiced Wednesday without five of its top eight receivers. The others? Odell Beckham (who is on the Physically Unable to Perform list), Tahj Washington (who is on injured reserve), and Erik Ezukanma (who has been out multiple weeks).
As a result, the Dolphins in the last week have signed Willie Snead IV and Mike Harley Jr. — if for no other reason than to be able to get through practice.
Asked if there are steps Miami can take to minimize Waddle’s bumps and bruises this spring, McDaniel replied:
“Oh, for sure. I think our mindset each and every year with every player is to take information that you are accumulating it to better serve the players, and him in particular. I think that’s part of the reason you haven’t seen him.
“We understand his body. We understand how to be a little more proactive with something. We understand how tough and he’s one of the toughest wide receivers that I have ever had the opportunity to coach and that is a great thing.
“However, when you’re trying to make sure that you get the season started off on the right foot and that you best facilitate the best-case scenario of health, then you take measures and you learn new things or red flags or whatever it be with that particular player.”