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Marcel Louis-Jacques
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — The Miami Dolphins have placed tight end Darren Waller on injured reserve Wednesday. This follows a pectoral injury sustained during the previous week’s defeat against the Cleveland Browns.
Waller’s injury occurred during the first half of Sunday’s contest, preventing his return to the field. It marked his fourth appearance this season, having previously missed the initial three games due to a hip injury sustained during training camp.
“It involved the body’s tissues,” Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel stated Monday. “Realistically, it would be overly optimistic to expect his participation in the near future. However, he’s dedicated. This is important to him, but that’s where I stand with the existing knowledge.”
Waller had a noteworthy season debut in Week 4, securing three receptions for 27 yards and two touchdowns. The subsequent week, he accumulated 78 yards and a touchdown on five catches against the Carolina Panthers, all accomplished within the first half.
Since then, he has only managed two receptions for 12 yards and a touchdown across two games, coinciding with the Dolphins’ passing offense experiencing a downturn amid their three-game losing streak.
Waller is eligible to return for the Week 12 game against the New Orleans Saints. Miami has a week off in Week 11. In a related move, the Dolphins promoted tight end Greg Dulcich from their practice squad to the main roster.
The Dolphins acquired Waller through a trade in July, and he ended a year-long break from football to reconnect with current offensive coordinator Frank Smith, who previously served as Waller’s position coach during his most productive seasons with the Las Vegas Raiders.
Waller spent the initial weeks of training camp working separately to regain his football fitness but encountered a setback when he injured his hip in August.
