MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Basically half of the Miami Dolphins‘ starting lineup got a reprieve from Tuesday’s final pre-bye practice, which suggests the week off couldn’t come at a better time for a very beat-up team.
The list of absences Tuesday included wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, who has missed just one game in 2023 despite dealing with four different injuries since the start of training camp.
Waddle’s latest issue? A knee injury that he suffered early in Sunday’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Waddle fought through it and still logged 34 of a possible 63 snaps. But 48 hours later, Waddle was certainly feeling the effects, per Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel.
Miami Dolphins Injury Report: Jaylen Waddle Is Hurting
“He definitely was sore, which we’re gonna be measured with our approach with him,” McDaniel said Tuesday. “He did a great job really battling for his teammates, you know. There was adrenaline and competitiveness that really drove him. It’s definitely not ideal to get injured on the second play of the game.
“But I think we gave an end around, you know, might have been fourth, fifth play of the game. That was something that he was making it very clear to me on the sidelines to still call, that he wanted the ball.
“He’s in a good spot. However, we’re going to make sure that we don’t do any harm to him moving forward. He’s had to battle injuries, unfortunately, this season, and he’ll utilize this bye week to make sure that he’s fully healthy and having no setbacks.”
Credit Waddle for showing toughness. Since the start of training camp, he’s missed two weeks of practice with an oblique injury, missed the Broncos game with a concussion, and needed medical attention in Week 7 for a back injury.
The bumps and bruises have had an impact on his production.
At the season’s midway point, Waddle has 40 catches for 522 yards and three touchdowns. Those are solid numbers, particularly considering his health, but way down from his epic 2022.
Waddle’s averages have slipped in yards per catch (from 18.1 in 2022 to 13.1 in 2023), yards before reception (11.3 to 7.7), yards after catch (6.8 to 5.4), and average depth of target (11.8 to 9.9).
The week off should serve him well.
More Miami Dolphins Injury News
Beyond Waddle, the following Dolphins players were not spotted during the brief media viewing period Tuesday:
Xavien Howard, David Long, Rob Jones, Rob Hunt, Terron Armstead, Tyreek Hill, Alec Ingold, Raheem Mostert, Chase Claypool, Braxton Berrios, and Durham Smythe.
Comprehensive answer from Mike McDaniel on the Dolphins’ left guard situation pic.twitter.com/GHdJE9nSqW
— Adam Beasley (@AdamHBeasley) November 7, 2023
With Jones, Armstead, and Hunt not practicing and Isaiah Wynn on injured reserve, the Dolphins’ offensive line is banged up.
Left guard, in particular, is a concern, as the Dolphins seem likely to be without both Wynn and Jones for some time.
MORE: The Miami Dolphins’ Biggest Deficiency Is Located Between the Ears
“There’s no surgery involved,” McDaniel said of Jones, who is dealing with his second knee injury of the season.
“It will take a little bit of time, but it’s more of a week-to-week deal with him. So it’s not a surgery situation. You know, like I said before, nothing’s changed with Isaiah in terms of, I’m not gonna tell someone that he can or can’t, but it’s a long journey, and we’re just taking it step by step with that.”
As for the team’s plan at left guard, expect Lester Cotton to start there against the Raiders in Week 11 — assuming Hunt makes a timely recovery from a hamstring injury.
“I think you’re starting to see why camp was full of competition, and it was so hard for you to really say this is what our lineup is gonna be, because we have a lot of NFL players at the offensive line position,” McDaniel said.
One final bit of news: De’Von Achane’s practice window remains closed, but there’s a good chance the Dolphins rookie running back returns next week.
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