The Miami Dolphins are gearing up for their final home game of the season, and it looks like they’ll have a familiar face back in the lineup. Veteran tight end Darren Waller, who missed practice Wednesday, returned in a limited capacity on Thursday-an encouraging sign that he’ll be active for the Week 17 clash against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Waller’s been managing a groin injury along with some veteran rest, but his return to practice suggests he's trending in the right direction. At 33 years old, Waller is no stranger to the grind of an NFL season, and while he’s battled through injuries this year, he’s still managed to make an impact when on the field.
This weekend would mark Waller’s ninth appearance of the season and his fifth straight to close out the 2025 calendar year. After coming out of retirement, he sat out the first three games of the season and has missed time intermittently since.
But when he’s played, he’s shown flashes of his old self-hauling in 23 catches for 283 yards and six touchdowns. That’s solid production for someone working his way back into rhythm, especially in a Miami offense that’s had to adjust on the fly.
Most of Waller’s chemistry this season has been with Tua Tagovailoa, but last week he gave rookie quarterback Quinn Ewers a reliable target in his NFL debut, catching three of five targets for 40 yards. If Ewers gets more snaps this week, expect Waller to remain a safety valve-especially in the red zone.
And this matchup sets up well for him. The Buccaneers have had a tough time defending tight ends lately, giving up 369 yards and five touchdowns to the position over their last four games. If Waller is active and anywhere close to full strength, he could be a key piece in exploiting that vulnerability.
But Waller isn’t the only Dolphin on the injury radar heading into Week 17.
Miami’s injury report is crowded with impact players, and two names stand out for all the wrong reasons: safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and center Aaron Brewer. Neither has practiced this week.
Fitzpatrick, a three-time All-Pro, is dealing with a calf injury, while Brewer is nursing a neck issue. Their continued absences from practice suggest they’re in real danger of missing Sunday’s game.
Also on the list are linebacker Tyrel Dodson, defensive tackle Benito Jones, and kicker Jason Sanders. Like Waller, all three were limited in Thursday’s session. For Sanders, the story is particularly interesting-he’s been on injured reserve all season but has been practicing for over a week and could be on the verge of making his 2025 debut.
With the playoffs looming, the Dolphins are trying to get healthy at the right time. Having Waller back in the mix is a big boost, especially with the offense potentially transitioning to a young quarterback. If he’s on the field, expect Miami to lean on his experience and versatility-particularly in a game that could have major postseason implications.