The Miami Dolphins are having a tough start to the season.
Miami needs to bounce back fast as the Dolphins play two games in the next 10 days. The Dolphins’ season opener against the Indianapolis Colts was an unfortunate 33-8 loss. To make matters even worse, the Dolphins are not alone in struggling with injuries throughout their roster.
One of these players is tight end Darren Waller.
What Is the Outlook for Darren Waller’s Season?
Waller came to Miami after the New York Giants agreed to terms with the Dolphins’ franchise on a trade. Miami received the tight end and a conditional 2027 seventh-round selection in exchange for a 2026 sixth-round draft pick. The Dolphins could have put Waller on injured reserve to open the season; however, they kept him on the active roster even though he has not practiced with the Dolphins.
According to ESPN Miami Dolphins reporter Marcel Louis-Jacques, Miami head coach Mike McDaniel said Waller might not be available for the entire season.
“I expect to not know what to expect until later on this week,” McDaniel said of Waller’s availability for Week 2. “We may get to a point where we realize the risk is too great for the rest of the season and we’ll have to do what’s best for the team.”
Mike McDaniel on TE Darren Waller’s availability for Week 2:
“I expect to not know what to expect until later on this week … We may get to a point where we realize the risk is too great for the rest of the season and we’ll have to do what’s best for the team.”
— Marcel Louis-Jacques (@Marcel_LJ) September 10, 2025
This news comes after Waller, as stated by Giants.com, had previously announced his retirement in June 2024.
Waller’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, also spoke about his status recently. “I really felt he was going to be ready, and so did the Dolphins,” he said. “Then he did have a setback in practice. So, you know, he’s still dealing with this hip injury. It’s proven to be a real nuisance. He certainly had a setback, I agree with the Dolphins that it’s week to week at this point.”
“Now that we’re in the season, I don’t want to create any competitive advantage for an opponent. So, you know, time will tell,” Rosenhaus added. “But when he gets back, he’ll be a great addition to this team. They certainly missed him today.”
We still do not know the status of Dolphins TE Darren Waller who has been dealing with a hip injury. His agent, DREW ROSENHAUS calls it, “a nuisance.” he adds that the TE is week-to-week after a setback. The question is, was this a pre-existing injury? #PhinsUp pic.twitter.com/cykklBMNjn
— Josh Moser (@TheMozKnowz) September 12, 2025
Waller has 4,124 receiving yards and 20 touchdowns across 350 receptions in his career so far. He last played in the 2023 regular-season finale, capping off his lone year with the Giants after they acquired him from the Las Vegas Raiders for a third-round selection in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Miami will host the New England Patriots on Sunday. Kick-off is slated for 1:00 p.m. ET, and the Dolphins are looking for their first win of the year.
