Jaylen

Waddle

Waddle missed Week 16 with the knee issue. Miami didn’t hold a practice Wednesday due to the holiday, so his status is just a guess from the team. Still, it’s not a great sign for his Week 17 availability. Rookie Malik Washington will hold his starting role in the final week of the fantasy season if Waddle remains sidelined. Washington caught 3-of-4 targets for 28 yards last week.

“I’m expecting to get everything from Waddle that he can do... I’ve [talked to] the trainer to make sure we protect him from himself. We will see how the week progresses,” McDaniel said. Waddle rosterers should be prepared for another bumpy week heading into Sunday’s game against the Browns. He sure doesn’t sound like an especially likely bet to play.

Waddle was listed as doubtful meaning he never had much of a shot at suiting up this week. mail Washington will step into the No. 2 versus the 49ers, putting him on the WR5 radar for Week 16. Left tackle Terron Armstead in active.

This barely keeps alive his hopes of playing against San Francisco after not practicing all week. Waddle’s likely absence will leave rookie Malik Washington as Miami’s No. 3 target behind Tyreek Hill and Jonnu Smith, potentially setting him up as a deep-league FLEX or dart throw as the Dolphins take on the 49ers to try to keep their slim playoff hopes alive.

Waddle has missed both practices to open the week and is on the wrong side of playing in Week 16 against the 49ers. If Waddle can’t get on the field in a limited capacity on Friday, it would likely mean Tyreek Hill and Malik Washington will slot in as the Dolphins’ top two receivers.

Waddle left Week 15’s game against the Texans and was listed as questionable to return. He did not do so but was also never ruled out officially. Mike McDaniel called him day to day on Monday and left it at that today. If Waddle can’t suit up on Sunday, rookie Malik Washington will see the bulk of the WR2 snaps for Miami. Washington caught five passes for 52 yards in releif of Waddle last week.

Waddle did not play at all in the second half of Miami’s loss to Houston in Week 15, but was on the sideline with his helmet in his hands. We’d want to see some practice reports before declaring this a non-issue, but this is as comforting a coach quote as you could hope for after Waddle waddled (sorry) off the field in the second quarter.

Waddle was rolled up on and dramatically jumped off the field. He was in the blue medical tent and went into the locker room afterwards. Waddle did not catch either of his two targets before leaving. Waddle did not return, but watched the rest of the game from the sideline with his helmet in hand. It’s possible he’s able to suit up for Week 16 given that news, but the fact that he never came back on is slightly ominous.

Waddle has finished as a WR1, a WR4 and a WR2 over the last three weeks, and that volatility could continue in Week 15. Although he is healthy enough to play, being limited in practice all week clearly shows he is somewhat bothered by his hamstring strain. Fantasy managers should consider him a WR3 with explosive upside against the Texans.

Waddle has been limited in both practices, but it’s a good sign he’s been able to get on the field in some capacity. Waddle caught nine passes for 100 scoreless yards last week’s win over the Jets, and should be good to go for Week 15’s game against the Texans barring any setbacks. Stay tuned for Friday’s injury report.