Jaylen

Waddle

Waddle has fallen behind both De’Von Achane and Jonnu Smith in the pecking order for targets. Smith tied Tyreek Hill with eight targets this week while Achane beat Waddle by one look in the passing game. Waddle is averaging just under three receptions for 34 yards since Tua Tagovailoa returned to the lineup a month ago. After another dud performance, Waddle is barely clinging to WR4 life heading into Week 12 versus the Patriots.

Two of Waddle’s three grabs came on the team’s opening drive, a possession that led to only the second first-drive touchdown for the Dolphins this season on a Malik Washington 18-yard rush on a jet sweep. Waddle would add just one more catch for two yards the rest of the way while the Dolphins transitioned into game management mode with the Rams struggling to put points on the board. Waddle’s next chance to return viable counting stats comes in Week 11 when the Dolphins play host to the Raiders.

As you can see, there’s a lot going on here. Waddle got hit with -23 receiving yards on the Dolphins’ ill-fated final lateral play. This wonky box score does not even include Waddle getting spiked by Damar Hamlin in the fourth quarter and briefly appearing as if he might have suffered a broken leg on a leg whip. He also had zero targets through three quarters. The real takeaway, of course, is that Waddle is continuing to not produce even following Tua Tagovailoa’s Week 8 return. He has not cleared 50 yards since Week 1. With the Dolphins’ offense not hitting big plays the way it once did, Waddle is beginning to look like a middling WR3 as even Tyreek Hill struggles for targets and big box scores. The Rams are on tap for Week 10.

Waddle did most of his damage in the second half, catching two passes for 35 yards on Miami’s final scoring drive. He also had a drop on a would-be long gain during the series of plays, though it didn’t cost his team in the long run as De’Von Achane found the end zone later in the drive. It was a quiet outing for Waddle, but Miami’s offense topped 20 points for the first time all year. They are back on track after enduring nightmarish quarterback play with Tua Tagovailoa out. Waddle will rank as a low-end WR2 for his Week 9 matchup with the Bills.

It’s a nightmare turn of events for Dolphins fans and fantasy managers alike. Hill was added to the injury report midweek as a limited participant on Thursday. He was then downgraded to a DNP on Friday before drawing the questionable tag. While Hill has pushed through various injuries over the years, this is a situation fantasy managers will need to monitor closely. If he is unable to suit up this week, Jaylen Waddle will serve as Miami’s No. 1 receiver in Tua Tagovailoa’s first game back from injured reserve.

Waddle has been limited in both practices to start the week, but that’s not enough for concern regarding his Week 8 availability. If Waddle can log another practice on Friday, we’d expect him to be good to go against the Cardinals in a game where Tua Tagovailoa is expected to make his return.

Waddle appeared to be shaken up during the Dolphins’ Week 7 game, but he continued to play. It is unclear if he sustained the quad injury during that game, but he now starts the week off limited. With Tua Tagovailoa (concussion) expected to return, Waddle will get a boost for fantasy, but it is worth monitoring if this quad issues turns concerning later in the week.

We knew this would be the case once Miami designated Tua to return from injured reserve a few days ago, but it’s still a sight for eyes. This is Tua’s first session since being placed on injured reserve after another scary brain injury a month ago. Miami has scored 35 points in four games without Tagovailoa under center. They scored more than that in four individual weeks last season. All signs point to Tagovailoa returning in Week 8 versus the Cardinals, tentatively putting Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle back on the fantasy menu.

This being Waddle, he also appeared to be briefly banged up but never left the game. He was not announced with an injury. Waddle’s latest disaster without Tua Tagovailoa will hopefully be his last, as Tagovailoa (concussion) seems to be trending to a Week 8 return. Barely even WR3 relevant sans his quarterback, Waddle will probably slot back in as a low-end WR2 if Tua is cleared to face Arizona next Sunday.

Waddle had a couple early receptions on scripted plays but faded in the second half as the Dolphins leaned hard on the run against a terrible New England rush defense. He’s coming off a 26-yard outing against the Seahawks. Waddle won’t be a reliable fantasy option until Tua Tagovailoa (concussion) returns to the Miami lineup.