Dolphins rule out three players for Bills game. Waddle among those questionable
The Dolphins ruled out three starters and listed receiver Jaylen Waddle as questionable for Thursday’s game at Buffalo (8:20 p.m., CBS 4, Amazon Prime).
As expected, cornerback Storm Duck (ankle), safety Ifeatu Melifonwu (calf) and tight end Darren Waller (hip) were ruled out for the game.
Waddle, who has been playing through a lingering shoulder injury sustained in the opener, was listed as questionable, as were defensive tackle Benito Jones (oblique) and linebacker Chop Robinson (knee).
Running back Jaylen Wright (knee) and cornerback Ethan Bonner (hamstring) have no injury designations and are good to go after missing a few weeks.
Two players who were limited in practice this week — center Aaron Brewer (hip) and receiver Malik Washington (thumb) — also have no injury designations and will be available Thursday.
In the absence of Melifonwu, defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver said Dante Trader Jr. and Ashtyn Davis will both get snaps at safety, opposite Minkah Fitzpatrick.
Rasul Douglas is expected to remain Duck’s replacement at cornerback, opposite Jack Jones.
Waller will miss a third consecutive game with a hip injury.
Robinson, who sustained a knee injury during the Patriots game, said Monday that he intends to play this week. He was riding a stationary bicycle during media viewing of Tuesday’s practice, the team’s only full practice this week.
Waddle spoke to reporters Tuesday and has given no indication that his status for the game is in question.
Coach Mike McDaniel said Jones is trying to play on Thursday. Jordan Phillips will remain the starter if Jones cannot play.
For Thursday games, teams do not need to elevate players from the practice squad until 4 p.m. Thursday. Kicker Riley Patterson will be one of the elevations.
With Wright back, the Dolphins don’t need to elevate running back Jeff Wilson Jr. for a third consecutive game.
That elevation could be used on another safety (Jordan Colbert or John Saunders Jr.) or perhaps a tight end (Greg Dulcich or Hayden Rucci) or perhaps a receiver (Theo Wease Jr. or AJ Henning).
Patterson has one permitted elevation remaining (Thursday’s game).
Special teams coach Craig Aukerman said general manager Chris Grier and coach Mike McDaniel will discuss after the game what to do at kicker for the Jets game on Sept. 29.
Meanwhile, the Bills ruled out two key defensive players: tackle Ed Oliver and linebacker Matt Milano.
This story was originally published September 17, 2025 at 2:31 PM.
