MIAMI GARDENS — Dolphins tight end Darren Waller, who came out of retirement to replace Pro Bowl tight end Jonnu Smith, sustained a hip strain before practice Wednesday and is unlikely to play in Sunday’s opener against Indianapolis, coach Mike McDaniel said Friday.

“While trying to prevent a setback, he had a setback,” McDaniel said.

Waller, a Pro Bowl selection in 2020, is the best receiving tight end on the roster. Julian Hill is more of an in-line or blocking tight end. Tanner Conner, an athletic tight end, excels more at special teams than from scrimmage.

McDaniel didn’t characterize Waller’s mindset but said he’s “just really eager to play with his teammates” and added, “But I think you have to look at a big picture. I think you fail in life if you set up a script proactively.”

McDaniel said he’s not sure if the Dolphins will take any additional roster options with tight ends.

“I guess you’re just going to have to just wait and see,” he said. “There’s a couple things that we’re navigating through. But I feel good with our options that we have for this current game and should it need to be longer than this current game I feel comfortable with what we’ve discussed and our options there.”

Since being with the Dolphins, Waller hasn’t practiced for three consecutive days.

“We have not pressed the threshold of three days consecutive intentionally,” McDaniel said Wednesday.

Waller retired on June 9, 2024, and sat out the entire 2024 season. He was acquired via trade from the New York Giants on Aug. 7.

Waller, who turns 33 years old on Sept. 13, hasn’t engaged in any full-contact, full-pads practices, didn’t engage in any joint practices, and didn’t play in any preseason games. 

Offensive coordinator Frank Smith said Thursday the Dolphins were prepared if Waller is limited or can’t play. 

“All positions we make sure we have contingency plans for all variables, so we know what we would need to do and be ready for,” he said. “It’s not anything that we haven’t talked about or had plans for.”

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Injury updates

McDaniel said wide receiver Tyreek Hill (oblique) and running back De’Von Achane (calf) remain on schedule to play Sunday.

McDaniel said guard James Daniels’ ankle injury isn’t on the same leg as the Achilles injury that limited him to four games with Pittsburgh last season.

McDaniel also said safety Ashtyn Davis (calf) and safety Elijah Campbell (knee) look on track to play Sunday.

Tua-to-Tyreek passing combination looking good

Much has been made of the off-field relationship between quarterback Tua Tagovaioa and wide receiver Tyreek Hill. But their on-field relationship, despite Hill missing much of training camp with an oblique injury, is razor sharp, according to wide receiver Jaylen Waddle.

“You know ‘Reek’ (Hill) was out a little bit, kind of banged up, but man, they’re really piecing it together the last couple of practices,” Waddle said. “Came back, ain’t miss a step, their connection has been great. I think they were 100% two practices ago. So yeah, they look good.”

First-round pick ready for action

Defensive tackle Kenneth Grant, the Dolphins’ first-round pick who will be an integral part of a run defense that finished ninth in the league last season, is ready for his NFL debut. Stopping the run is the No. 1 priority for the Dolphins defense.

Grant is aware his job might include matchups with Colts left guard Quenton Nelson, the five-time All Pro and seven-time Pro Bowl selection and tackling running back Jonathan Taylor, the one-time All Pro and two-time Pro Bowl selection who rushed for 1,431 yards last season, fourth in the league. 

That’s fine. He’s living his dream.

“I’m not the type to get nervous,“ Grant said. “I’m a little nervous but not really. It’s just a game I’ve played since I was younger. I’m real excited to get out there with the guys and show what we’ve got.”

Grant said he usually talks to his mom before games. He can’t share everything contained in her motivational messages, though.

“I can’t really say it,” he said with a smile when asked what she tells him. “But a lot of encouragement, go out there and kick some butt and stuff like that.”

Dolphins compare Colts TE to ‘Gronk’

The Dolphins’ defense wants to stop the run and make the Colts’ offense one-dimensional. That way the Dolphins can unleash their edge rushers – Jaelan Phillips, Bradley Chubb. Chop Robinson and Matthew Judon – who are arguably the strength of the team.

But the Colts’ passing game, led by quarterback Daniel Jones and wide receivers Michael Pittman and Josh Downs, also has tight end Tyler Warren, the No. 14 pick of the draft.

Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver compared Warren to ex-Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski, a future Hall of Famer and one of the best all-time at his position.

“I don’t want to slap this label on him, but he’s a little ‘Gronkish’ at times, right?” Weaver said of the versatile 6-foot-6, 256-pound Warren, later adding. “He’s strong once he gets the ball in his hands. He’s not trying to make you miss, he’s going to try to run through you and he is a willing blocker. He’s willing to stick his face in the fan. He’s going to stay tight to you and he’s going to fight you right to the whistle. So I got respect for that kid.”

 

 

 

https://www.sun-sentinel.com/2025/09/05/dolphins-te-darren-waller-hip-unlikely-to-play-vs-colts/