Darren Waller: Everything you need to know

The Dolphins placed Waller (groin) on injured reserve Friday. Waller could not get on the practice field in any capacity throughout Week 18 prep, and he'll now move to IR in advance of Sunday's season finale against the Patriots. The veteran tight end thus wraps his comeback campaign, having come out of retirement to play for the Dolphins in 2025, with 24 catches for 283 yards and six touchdowns (on 34 targets) across nine regular-season appearances. While Waller's overall production doesn't jump off the page, when healthy he showcased playmaking ability and a capacity to thrive in the red zone that should appeal to multiple offenses across the league. That said, Waller played out 2025 on a one-year, $2 million deal with Miami and now is set to hit free agency, and it remains to be seen whether the 33-year-old tight end will even decide to return for another NFL season. Greg Dulcich will operate as the top pass-catching tight end for rookie quarterback Quinn Ewers in Week 18 with Waller unavailable.

Waller (groin) did not practice Thursday, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports. Waller has now missed back-to-back practices to begin preparation for Sunday's regular-season finale against the Patriots, making his chances of suiting up for Week 18 appear murky. The veteran tight end has regularly had his practice reps capped throughout the season, but it may be that he'll need to return as at least a limited participant at Friday's practice for any chance of being cleared to go Sunday. Greg Dulcich and Julian Hill will operate as the Dolphins' top tight ends if Waller is unable to play.

Waller (groin) did not practice Wednesday, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports. Waller logged a DNP/LP/LP practice pattern in advance of being cleared for Miami's win over Tampa Bay in Week 17, but he was listed with a rest/groin designation then. Now, the veteran tight end seems to simply be managing his groin injury. Waller will have two more chances to return to practice ahead of Sunday's regular-season finale on the road against New England. He secured just one of three targets for zero receiving yards versus the Buccaneers, while fellow tight end Greg Dulcich put together a 5-58-1 receiving line on six targets.