For the second time in two weeks, Miami Dolphins WR Jaylen Waddle was a limited participant at practice on Tuesday due to a lingering shoulder injury — but one that fortunately hasn’t forced him to miss a game here in 2025.
Waddle is officially listed as questionable for Thursday Night Football vs. the Bills, though he looks more likely to play than not.
Waddle’s limited action in Tuesday and Wednesday's practice is a bit concerning, as he was a full participant on Monday, and the Dolphins play on Thursday.
That downgrade on a short week is obvious cause for concern, but there's no reason to believe Waddle will sit out on Thursday night at the time of publishing.
HC Mike McDaniels may be taking the cautious approach with his $84.75 million receiver, as the 0-2 Dolphins can't afford to lose one of QB Tua Tagovailoa’s favorite targets.
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Jaylen Waddle Injury Update: Is Waddle Playing on Thursday Night Football?
All signs point towards Waddle suiting up against the Buffalo Bills, despite the downgrade in practice time. The winless Dolphins will have their work cut out for them on Thursday night as they stare down one of the best teams in the league.
They'll need Waddle, as they've only beat the Bills twice in their last 17 matchups, including six straight losses.
Coming out of Tuesday’s practice, Waddle was one of eight limited participants on the Dolphins’ injury report. He was one of four on Wednesday, which gave him the questionable designation.
Jaylen Waddle: Week 3 Fantasy Football Outlook
In his first two games of the season, Waddle has hauled in 9 of his 11 targets. He’s third on the team with 98 receiving yards, though he’s the lone WR to catch a TD pass from QB Tua Tagovailoa.
The Dolphins' leading WR Tyreek Hill has 10 receptions for 149 yards.
It’s no secret that this Dolphins offense is at its best when Hill and Waddle are on the field together. Both pass catchers have played exactly 78 snaps, but even though Waddle’s shoulder injury kept him limited heading into Week 2, he played a higher percentage of snaps (82%) than he did in Week 1 (65%).
TE Darren Waller was ruled out again for the Week 3, which means it will be mostly Waddle and Hill in the passing game.
Jaylen Waddle Projections vs. Bills, Week 3
Even with the shoulder injury, PrizePicks projects Waddle to finish with 52.5 receiving yards, just under Hill's 66.5 receiving yards.
RB De’Von Achane is projected for one more reception (5.5) than Waddle (4.5). Achane and Hill are both projected for 5.5 receptions.
It’s worth noting how much better Waddle looked in Week 2 compared to Week 1. The Colts held him to just 4 receptions for 30 yards on opening day, while he had 5 receptions for 68 yards and a TD in Week 2 against the Patriots.
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