Miami Dolphins running low on experienced tight ends
The Miami Dolphins could be forced to play Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Falcons without utilizing one of the team’s favorite offensive packages.
Darren Waller, who has scored four touchdowns in the four games he’s played for Miami, was placed on injured reserve earlier this week because of a pectoral strain he suffered in Miami’s 31-6 loss to the Cleveland Browns. But the dynamic pass catcher wasn’t the only tight end who suffered a significant injury in that game.
Julian Hill, who has started the first seven games for the Dolphins, and 22 games over the past three seasons, suffered a significant ankle injury, and has been held out of practice all of this week, and will not play against the Falcons.
Hill, who as the Dolphins top in-line blocker has contributed 10 receptions for 77 yards, is an important component of the Dolphins’ run game, and pass protection, which explains why he’s played 233 offensive snaps this season, which is the most for all the tight ends, a unit that has handled a total of 459 offensive snaps.
The Dolphins promoted Greg Dulcich up from the practice squad, and added veteran tight end Chris Myarick to the practice squad.
Myarick, who is known as a blocking specialist, has played for five teams in his five NFL seasons, and his NFL career began with the Dolphins in 2019 as an undrafted rookie free agent.
Tanner Conner, a third-year veteran the Dolphins converted from college receiver at Idaho State to tight end as a rookie, will likely be asked to step up and handle Waller’s flex tight end role, becoming a target in the passing game. Conner has played in every game this season, handling 121 offensive snaps, and has caught seven passes for 85 yards.
“Tanner Conner took the road less traveled as a position switch. Those are the most difficult, coming from college wide receiver,” coach Mike McDaniel said. “His game has grown inline, and his game has grown in the route tree. Expect him to continue to grow and be able to utilize some of the yards after catch stuff when we get the ball in his hands.”
Dulcich, who is on his third NFL team since 2022, is also known as a flex, or move tight end. He’s caught 41 passes for 464 yards and two touchdowns in the 21 NFL games he’s played, which includes 13 starts.
Dulcich’s best year was his rookie season in Denver when he caught 33 of the 55 passes thrown his way, contributing 411 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
Dulcich has spent the past eight weeks learning the Dolphins offense, and now we’ll learn if he’s ready to become a contributor while Waller’s sidelined for four weeks.
“We liked him coming out of the draft. He’s got really good ball skills, good speed down the field. He has really good natural pass game awareness. He’s really good with yards after the catch,” offensive coordinator Frank Smith said. “His only hang-up has been [his] consistency staying on the field [because of] some soft tissue injuries.”
McDaniel said Dulcich hasn’t had any missed assignments this week in practice.
The Dolphins can also utilize fullback Alec Ingold more because of Waller and Hill’s absence. Ingold, a Pro Bowler in 2023, is well versed in all of Miami’s tight end and fullback work.
Miami could also elevate Hayden Rucci, a second-year player from Wisconsin, up from the practice squad. Rucci has spent most of the past two seasons on Miami’s practice squad, and is supposed to be an effective blocker.
This story was originally published October 24, 2025 at 10:16 AM.
