Miami Dolphins tight end Darren Waller (groin) will be placed on Injured Reserve on Friday, according to Marcel Louis-Jacques of ESPN. Waller will miss the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday versus the division-rival New England Patriots. The 33-year-old veteran came out of retirement to play for the Dolphins in 2025 and will finish with 24 catches for 283 yards and six touchdowns in only nine games played. Waller got a late start to the season as he worked his way into playing shape and also missed time with a hamstring injury. He was not the same player he was earlier in his career with the Raiders, but Waller still had plenty of red-zone prowess in his return this year. It remains to be seen if he'll attempt to return in 2026 with Miami or another organization. Greg Dulcich should be the Dolphins' top pass-catching TE in Week 18.

From RotoBaller

Miami Dolphins TE Darren Waller (groin) was placed on the Reserve/Injured list Friday, Jan. 2.

Fantasy Spin: Waller had a 24-293-6 line in nine games. If he returns next season, he'll be a TE2 option with some TD upside when he's healthy.

From TheHuddle

Miami Dolphins tight end Darren Waller (groin) had a rough showing in Week 17 for fantasy managers as he saw only three targets and hauled in one of them for zero yards. On a day where rookie quarterback Quinn Ewers only threw 22 times (for 172 yards), and Jaylen Waddle (ribs) left the game, it was Greg Dulcich who saw the majority of the targets in Week 17 and led the team with six targets. No other pass-catcher saw more than three targets outside of Dulcich. Additionally, Waller is in danger of missing Week 18 as he was not seen at practice on Thursday due to his groin injury. In the two games since Tua Tagovailoa got benched, Waller has only been able to produce four receptions for 40 yards with Ewers, and that was in two solid fantasy matchups against teams that allow a lot of fantasy points to the tight end position (Bengals and Buccaneers). Although Ewers has played solidly in his first two starts, it's hard to trust Waller moving forward as anything better than a low-end touchdown-dependent TE2 in fantasy football, making him fall in the rankings as fantasy managers head into Week 18.

From RotoBaller

Miami Dolphins RB De'von Achane (shoulder), LB Jordyn Brooks (hamstring), S Minkah Fitzpatrick (calf) and TE Darren Waller (groin) did not participate in practice Thursday, Jan. 1. C Aaron X. Brewer (neck), LB Chop Robinson (concussion), PK Jason Sanders (hip) and WR Jaylen Waddle (ribs) were limited during practice. LB K.J. Britt (groin) and OT Austin Jackson (back) fully participated in practice.

From TheHuddle

Miami Dolphins TE Darren Waller (groin) did not participate in practice Thursday, Jan. 1.

Fantasy Spin: Waller's status for Week 18 is uncertain at this time, so fantasy players will need to check on his availability later in the week. He has played well at times this season but can be avoided in most leagues.

From TheHuddle

Miami Dolphins RB De'Von Achane (shoulder), LB Jordyn Brooks (hamstring), S Minkah Fitzpatrick (calf), LB Chop Robinson (concussion), WR Jaylen Waddle (ribs) and TE Darren Waller (groin) did not participate in practice Wednesday, Dec. 31. C Aaron X. Brewer (neck) and PK Jason Sanders (hip) were limited during practice. LB K.J. Britt (groin) and OT Austin Jackson (back) fully participated in practice.

From TheHuddle

Miami Dolphins TE Darren Waller (groin) did not participate in practice Wednesday, Dec. 31.

Fantasy Spin: Fantasy players can monitor the situation over the next few days to see if Waller will be able to return to the field and play in the regular season finale. He will see a few targets if he plays but can be avoided in most leagues.

From TheHuddle

Miami Dolphins tight end Darren Waller (groin) was held out of practice on Wednesday as he continues to manage a groin injury, according to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel's David Furones. Waller also missed practice last week on Wednesday before playing in the Week 17 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but he played only 38% of the offensive snaps and caught one of his three targets for no gain. Meanwhile, fellow TE Greg Dulcich caught five of his six targets for 58 yards and a touchdown. The 33-year-old Waller came out of retirement in 2025 to join the Dolphins, and he has 24 receptions for 283 yards and six touchdowns in his nine games played. However, rookie quarterback Quinn Ewers has taken more of a liking to Dulcich since taking over as the starting QB in Miami. At best, Waller will be a touchdown-dependent TE2 streamer in fantasy in Week 18 if he's active.

From RotoBaller

Miami Dolphins TE Darren Waller didn't gain a yard on his only catch in a 20-17 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 17.

Fantasy Spin: Waller has just four catches in the two games that Quinn Ewers has started, and fellow tight end Greg Dulcich has been the more consistent player at the position for the last several weeks. Waller has become a touchdown-dependent TE2.

From TheHuddle

Miami Dolphins tight end Darren Waller is working with a rookie QB in Quinn Ewers, so he has a wide range of possible outcomes this week at home against the Buccaneers. Waller has shown he still has a nose for the end zone with six touchdowns in eight games, but Ewers is still looking for his first NFL touchdown as he makes his second career start. Last week, Waller was second on the team with five targets and finished with three catches for 40 yards. While he did miss some practice earlier this week to manage his workload, Waller has no injury designation this week against the Bucs, who have been a top-10 matchup for tight ends this season. Tight ends have six touchdowns in the last five weeks against Tampa and 10 touchdowns on the season. Waller is the No. 16 TE in RotoBaller's rankings this week, but he has the potential to be a starting option if he gets into the end zone again in this game against Tampa Bay.

From RotoBaller

Miami Dolphins S Minkah Fitzpatrick (calf), CB Isaiah Johnson (knee), and DL Benito Jones (back) did not practice on Friday, Dec. 26, and have been ruled out for Week 17 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. WR Dee Eskridge (toe) did not practice all week and has been listed as doubtful. OL Aaron X. Brewer (neck) and K Jason Sanders (hip) were limited in practice on Friday and are listed as questionable. LB Tyrel Dodson (chest) and OL Andrew Meyer (tricep) practiced in full on Friday and are listed as questionable. TE Darren Waller (groin, rest) was limited in practice on Friday and no longer appears on the injury report. WR Jaylen Waddle (wrist) and S Ifeatu Melifonwu (thumb, groin) practiced in full and no longer appear on the injury report.

From TheHuddle

Updating a previous report, Miami Dolphins TE Darren Waller (groin) was limited during practice Friday, Dec. 26, and is not on the injury report for Week 17.

Fantasy Spin: Waller has caught 10 of his 13 targets over the last two games and should see a handful of targets again this week. Most fantasy players should have better options available and can keep Waller on the bench.

From TheHuddle

Miami Dolphins TE Darren Waller (rest, groin) is expected to play in Week 17 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, according to head coach Mike McDaniel.

Fantasy Spin: Waller, being a prevalent redzone target, makes him a good starting option in deeper leagues. The Bucs' linebacking corps has also struggled to cover tight ends, so he is worth installing in your lineup.

From TheHuddle

Miami Dolphins OL Aaron Brewer (neck), WR Dee Eskridge (toe), S Minkah Fitzpatrick (calf), and CB Isaiah Johnson (knee) did not practice on Thursday, Dec. 25. LB Tyrel Dodson (chest), DL Benito Jones (back), K Jason Sanders (hip), and TE Darren Waller (rest, groin) were limited in practice on Thursday. S Ifeatu Melifonwu (thumb, groin), OL Andrew Meyer (tricep), and WR Jaylen Waddle (wrist) practiced in full on Thursday.

From TheHuddle

Miami Dolphins TE Darren Waller (rest, groin) was limited in practice on Thursday, Dec. 25.

Fantasy Spin: Waller improved his practice status from Wednesday, which is a good sign for him heading into the weekend. Waller can be in your lineup as a starting tight end option in deeper leagues due to his redzone targets.

From TheHuddle

Miami Dolphins tight end Darren Waller (rest, groin) could not find the end zone again in Week 16's 45-21 lopsided loss to the Bengals, but projects to be a useful fantasy asset for the remainder of the season. Waller and the rest of the Dolphins' skill players' value took a hit last Sunday when the team announced they'd turn to rookie signal-caller Quinn Ewers. The move was a response to teammate Tua Tagovailoa floundering in his role as a starter. For one game, at least, it was a downgrade for the Dolphins' offense. However, Waller remained involved, placing second on the team in targets (five) behind wide receiver Jaylen Waddle's nine. Waller's upside won't be the same with Ewers under center, but owners can still rely on him as a fringy TE1, particularly against a Buccaneers' defense that's allowed the seventh-most fantasy points per game to the position (15.65).

From RotoBaller

Miami Dolphins OL Aaron Brewer (neck), LB Tyrel Dodson (chest), WR Dee Eskridge (toe), S Minkah Fitzpatrick (calf), and TE Darren Waller (rest, groin) did not practice on Wednesday, Dec. 24. CB Isaiah Johnson (knee), DL Benito Jones (back), and K Jason Sanders (hip) were limited in practice on Wednesday. S Ifeatu Melifonwu (thumb, groin), OL Andrew Meyer (tricep), and WR Jaylen Waddle (wrist) practiced in full on Wednesday.

From TheHuddle

Miami Dolphins TE Darren Waller (groin) did not participate in practice Wednesday, Dec. 24.

Fantasy Spin: Fantasy players can check later in the week to see if Waller will be available for the Week 17 game. He will see a handful of targets if he plays and will probably not be a starting option in most fantasy leagues.

From TheHuddle

Miami Dolphins tight end Darren Waller didn't find the end zone in Week 16 against the Bengals, but he did still haul in three catches for 40 yards and rank second on the team in targets with five passes thrown his way. Rookie QB Quinn Ewers started and threw for 260 yards and no touchdowns in the team's loss, but he likely showed enough potential to earn another start next week against Tampa Bay. Waller will likely remain the second option in the passing game behind Jaylen Waddle, and he has shown enough upside this season to be a fringe starting option in standard leagues.

From RotoBaller

Miami Dolphins TE Darren Waller caught three passes for 40 yards against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 16. He was targeted five times during the game.

Fantasy Spin: Waller was coming off a two-touchdown game last week but did not reach the end zone against the Bengals. He has posted at least 40 receiving yards in three of his last four games but is unlikely to be a starting option in most leagues next week.

From TheHuddle