Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (knee) was not seen at the portion of Friday's practice open to the media and is listed as doubtful for the Week 16 contest on Sunday against the visiting San Francisco 49ers at Hard Rock Stadium. Waddle suffered a knee injury early in the Week 15 loss to the Houston Texans and never returned, and now it looks like he'll sit out for at least one game. In addition, Dee Eskridge (knee) is also doubtful, so the Dolphins figure to be short-handed at wideout this weekend. Malik Washington should step into the WR2 role behind All-Pro Tyreek Hill, but for fantasy purposes, he still won't be a recommended option as a flex play in starting lineups with a trip to the fantasy championship on the line. If anything, Hill, tight end Jonnu Smith and running back De'Von Achane will be targeted more through the air.
According to David Furones of Sun Sentinel, Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (knee) remained sidelined during Thursday's practice. Waddle sustained this knee injury during last weekend's loss to the Houston Texans. He was unable to return to the game after the injury. Seeing Waddle miss the first two practices of the week does not put him in a good position to be available for this weekend's game. Fantasy managers should monitor Friday's report in case Waddle can make a quick turnaround but should begin to find an alternative option. During Weeks 12 through 14, Waddle was beginning to find his footing on what had been a disappointing season, as he averaged a strong 98.7 yards per game during this span. If Waddle cannot play, Malik Washington would operate as the No.2 wideout and could be a viable flex option in deeper formats.
Jaylen Waddle Won't Practice On Wednesday, Considered Day-To-Day
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (knee) will not practice on Wednesday, but head coach Mike McDaniel is calling him day-to-day. Waddle injured his knee early in the Week 15 loss to the Houston Texans and never returned, leaving his fantasy managers with a donut in the first round of the fantasy playoffs. McDaniel is hopeful that Waddle will get back on the field this week, but his status for Week 16 against the San Francisco 49ers is in question. If Waddle cannot go, it will mean more targets for receiver Tyreek Hill and tight end Jonnu Smith, while wideout Malik Washington would essentially serve in the WR2 role for Miami. The good news for the Dolphins is that Waddle's injury isn't considered long-term, so even if he sits out of Week 16, he should play again before the end of the 2024 regular season. Check back later this week for an updated view of his Week 16 availability.
Jaylen Waddle Avoids Major Injury, Status In Question For Week 16
Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel reports that wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (knee) avoided a serious injury in Sunday's 20-12 loss to the Houston Texans. David Furones of Sun Sentinel reports. "Not major, not surgery-related," said McDaniel. It hasn't been the season Miami envisioned thus far, but the 26-year-old walking away with a favorable prognosis is undoubtedly a silver lining for the team. Still, per his head coach -- Waddle's status for next Sunday's matchup against the visiting San Francisco 49ers is uncertain. We'll likely learn more about his availability when the Dolphins host their week's first practice on Wednesday. Fellow wideout Grant DuBose (head) was also injured in Week 15 and reportedly remains hospitalized. If neither is available for Week 16, WRs River Cracraft and Malik Washington would be due for all the work they could handle.
Jaylen Waddle Catchless Before Exiting In Loss Vs. Texans
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (knee) had zero receptions on two targets before exiting the game with a knee injury in the 20-12 Week 15 loss to the Houston Texans. The injury came when a defender landed on the back of his leg, causing him to land awkwardly and limp immediately after. It's disappointing for fantasy managers, especially considering how suspect the Texans defense has been at stopping wide receivers in 2024. It will be worth monitoring his status for Week 16 leading up to their matchup next Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers.
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (knee) is questionable to return to Sunday's game. The wideout suffered an apparent knee injury during the second quarter. Waddle was seen limping to the blue medical tent but was able to move under his own power. Before leaving, Waddle did not catch a pass, so his fantasy managers will surely be hoping he can return in this one. For the time being, Tyreek Hill and tight end Jonnu Smith should see most of the targets, with Malik Washington getting an increased role in the passing attack. Running back De'Von Achane should see more targets out of the backfield as well.
Jaylen Waddle A High-Upside WR3 Play Against Texans
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle looks to build off his nine-reception, 99-yard performance against the New York Jets in Week 14. The 26-year-old is seemingly finding his footing late in the season as the offense looks fluid. Waddle and Miami travel to take on the Houston Texans in Week 15, a team that tends to struggle at defending wide receivers. They allow the sixth-most fantasy points, the seventh-most yards, and second-most receiving touchdowns per game to wideouts. The offense has recently seen an uptick in passing plays, helping Waddle garner more targets. With Miami's recent defensive struggles, they could find themselves in a shootout with quarterback C.J. Stroud and the Houston offense. Waddle is a high-upside WR3 play in Week 15. He comes in as RotoBaller's WR30 in this week's rankings.
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (hamstring) was a limited participant in practice again on Thursday for the second straight day this week. Waddle's hamstring is a little banged up coming out of his big performance in the Week 14 divisional win in overtime over the New York Jets. Two limited sessions so far in Week 15 give us confidence that the 26-year-old will be able to play this Sunday against the Houston Texans, but fantasy managers will want to check in again on Friday to see if he carries an injury designation into the weekend. Like teammate Tyreek Hill, Waddle once again has a higher fantasy ceiling with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa around, although he hasn't been targeted nearly as heavily as Hill. Waddle had nine catches on a season-high 12 targets for 99 yards and had a season-high 144 yards and a score on Nov. 24. If he plays, he'll represent a WR3/flex with upside against Houston.
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (hamstring) was a limited participant in the team's first practice of the week on Wednesday. Waddle is battling a hamstring injury in Week 15, but it doesn't appear to be serious enough to put his status in question for the Week 15 game this Sunday against the Houston Texans. The 26-year-old played 82 percent of the offensive snaps in the Week 14 overtime victory over the division-rival New York Jets and was productive with nine catches on a season-high 12 targets for 99 yards, his third-highest yardage total all year. The former sixth overall pick in 2021 out of Alabama is in danger of not reaching 1,000 yards in a season for the first time in his fourth NFL campaign. However, Waddle's fantasy stock is on the rise after going for 21 catches, 296 yards and a touchdown in the last three games. He's setting up as a WR3/flex in Week 15 against Houston.
Jaylen Waddle Posts 99 Yards In OT Victory Over Jets
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle caught nine of 12 targets for 99 yards in their 32-26 overtime victory over the division-rival New York Jets. It was a bounce back after a poor performance in Week 13 against the Green Bay Packers. Waddle and Tyreek Hill (wrist) took advantage of Sauce Gardner's absence in this game. It was the second time in three games that the 26-year-old was able to surpass 90 yards after not being able to break 50 in eight of the previous nine contests. Things are starting to click for Miami's offense, and Waddle has become a beneficiary with 25 targets over the last three games. Fantasy managers can feel more comfortable starting him in their starting lineups as we approach the fantasy playoffs. Next on the schedule is a matchup with the Houston Texans, who are very suspect against wide receivers.
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