Waller set to debut and news, nuggets on every position on Dolphin offense
Tight end Darren Waller, who missed the first three games of the season with a hip injury, is expected to play in Miami’s next game, on Monday, Sept. 29 against the Jets (7 p.m., ESPN), according to coach Mike McDaniel.
McDaniel cautioned that “his body has to follow through.”
After missing most of training camp, Waller was expected to play in the opener before sustaining a hip injury before a practice five days before the opener. He practiced on a limited basis on Tuesday.
McDaniel said Waller was close to playing Thursday and might have played if this week’s game were on Sunday.
The Dolphins started Waller on the physically unable to perform list after a year in retirement.
In Thursday’s loss to Buffalo, Miami gave 34 snaps to Julian Hill and 26 to Tanner Conner. PFF rated Hill as Miami’s third-best player on offense, behind center Aaron Brewer and Ollie Gordon II. Hill’s big first-down catch was negated by an illegal-man-downfield penalty against left guard Jonah Savaiinaea.
News and notes by position on offense, and day-after-game thoughts from McDaniel, in the wake of the Dolphins’ 31-21 loss at Buffalo on Thursday:
Quarterback
Once praised for his ability to win games, Tua Tagovailoa is now 6-11 in his last 17 starts and 2-10 in his last 10 starts against teams that made the playoffs or look playoff-bound (Buffalo this season).
His 87.1 passer rating is 10th worst among all starters. His four interceptions are the most in the league, though he has played at least one more game than every other quarterback than Josh Allen.
He has thrown interceptions in the final three minutes of the last three games that he has played with his team down by a touchdown or less (against Houston, New England, Buffalo).
On the positive side, he has thrown TD passes in 39 of his past 40 games and in 18 in a row, which is the second-longest active streak, behind Lamar Jackson’s 26.
McDaniel said Friday that the Bills played far less nickel defense — and more base defense — than they typically play against Miami.
McDaniel praised Tagovailoa for extending a few plays, including a third-down run that he converted into a first down.
“There was some stuff he needs to get better at,” McDaniel said in general.
Running back
The Dolphins ran for 130 yards, on 5.2 per carry, and Gordon made the most of his 15 snaps, rushing 9 times for 38 yards (4.2 per rush) and a touchdown and converting all three of his short-yardage opportunities.
Nevertheless, he played less than a quarter of Miami’s 61 offensive snaps.
“You don’t want to put [a rookie] out there before he’s ready,” McDaniel said.
If you do otherwise with a rookie, “the cost is gigantic with the locker room,” he added. “He needed to continue to develop his off-ball responsibilities and I felt better about it. It was time to add his skill set. He did a good job of having the mindset.
“I and [running backs coach Eric Studesville] challenged him on to run behind his pads and not assume guys can tackle you. I was proud of his production and I am going to continue to challenge him. Using De’Von and him was my vision” and was waiting for his “ownership of the playbook.”
De’Von Achane played 47 snaps, and averaged 5.2 yards on his 12 carries and had seven receptions for 29 yards. His 18 receptions are the most ever by a Dolphins running back in their first three games.
Fullback Alec Ingold played 25 snaps on offense. Jaylen Wright, back from knee surgery, did not play an offensive snap. “I do plan on incorporating Jaylen; he’s a guy I really believe in,” McDaniel said.
Wide receiver
Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle each played 53 of Miami’s 61 offensive snaps, while Malik Washington played 33 snaps, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine 15 and Dee Eskridge 4.
Hill scored his 90th touchdown from scrimmage. Since Hill entered the league in 2016, only Henry, DaVante Adams, Derrick Henry and Hill have done that.
Four of Waddle’s five catches went for first downs (including one touchdown).
Pro Football Focus rated Washington, Waddle and Hill as Miami’s fourth-, fifth- and sixth-best players on offense on Thursday.
Offensive line
Right guard Kion Smith (who was filling in for James Daniels) was benched after 36 snaps, and Daniel Brunskill played the final 25.
Here’s how PFF rated Miami’s linemen: Brewer first among all Dolphins players, left tackle Patrick Paul seventh, Brunskill 11th, right tackle Larry Borom 12th, left guard Jonah Savaiinaea 16th and Smith 17th and last.
The rookie Savaiineaa allowed five quarterback pressures, and PFF rates him the worst guard in football — by far — through the first 15 days of the season.
PFF said Brewer and Brunskill were Miami’s best run-blocking offensive linemen on Thursday.
Borom permitted three pressures and Brunskill allowed two.
Credit the offensive line for not allowing a sack and for helping Miami rush for 130 yards on 5.2 per carry.
The Dolphins (0-3) will now have three days off before begin preparations to play the Jets at 7 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 29 at Hard Rock Stadium on ESPN.
This story was originally published September 19, 2025 at 11:49 AM.
