Aside from Waddle, Dolphins now at a loss at receiver. What’s going on here
After Tyreek Hill’s season-ending knee injury in Week 4, the hope was that Nick Westbrook-Ikhine and Malik Washington would fill some of the void and become a productive partner for Jaylen Waddle.
It hasn’t quite worked out that way.
While Waddle had played well without Hill before a frustrating one-reception game in Cleveland, Westbrook-Ikhine and Washington have combined for just 69 yards from scrimmage on a combined 215 offensive snaps over three games.
In Washington’s case, short throws and poor blocking by teammates have been a factor, though Washington also failed to shake some tackles.
In Westbrook-Ikhine’s case, lack of opportunities has factored into the limited output. Other issues also are in play, including erratic ball placement by Tua Tagovailoa, and offensive line mistakes that torpedo some plays.
Westbrook-Ikhine has played 120 offensive snaps during the past three games but has been targeted just five times and has three receptions for 16 yards, all in the 31-6 loss to Cleveland.
Coach Mike McDaniel has praised his blocking, but more was expected when he signed a two-year, $6.5 million contract after coming off a nine-touchdown season in Tennessee. None of his $2.4 million salary for next season is guaranteed.
Washington, meanwhile, has thrived as a returner, averaging 18.0 yards on punts and 26.8 on kickoffs, but hasn’t had as many dynamic plays (on offense) as he did as a rookie. After averaging 8.6 yards per reception last season (26 for 223), he’s at a paltry 4.7 this season (21 for 99).
What’s more, opponents have neutralized his impact as a runner in recent weeks. Washington has nine carries for 61 yards (a 6.8 average), but he has just three carries for nine yards in the past four games.
Coach Mike McDaniel has tried to use Washington, a 2024 sixth-round pick, as a multipurpose weapon because he saw potential in Washington to fill a Deebo Samuel-type role, albeit on a far more limited scale. McDaniel has playfully dubbed him “Maleebo.”
“I think the commonality with… them is that they’re a playmaker with the ball in their hands,” McDaniel said. “That’s the starting point because you’re trying to find more ways to get them the ball.
“Then there’s some players that are very good with the ball in their hands that have a unique natural ability to see defenders but press blockers so they can set the blockers up for success. Malik is very adept at feeling zones like a running back and... making a defense pay.”
McDaniel sees upside in Washington as a runner because he’s “inherently tough... and can avoid major contact by seeing lanes. We love using him that way.”
Washington suggested his recent runs haven’t been as effective partly because teams are more cognizant of them.
“They see me line up in certain areas, and they will alert it,” he said. “Especially when we get a motion, they’ll have a chance to see it before the snap. Sometimes it will work. Sometimes it doesn’t. It’s like any other football plays. We’ve got to be better in our assignments. I’ve got to be better in finding lanes.”
For these plays to work, “all 11 guys have to be almost perfect,” Washington said. “I’ve got to read the gap and find it, and guys got to block up front.”
Washington lined up as a running back and De’Von Achane lined up as a receiver on the Tagovailoa high throw to Achane that resulted in a pick-six by Tyson Campbell to begin the second half of the debacle in Cleveland.
Campbell had more yards on that interception return (34) than Westbrook-Ikhine or Washington has had in any game on offense since Hill’s injury.
Washington has been targeted 18 times in the three games, but most have been short throws, and his 13 catches have produced only 52 yards (just 4.0 yards per catch) since Hill’s injury.
Last season, 13 of Washington’s 26 catches resulted in first downs. This season, it’s just four of 21.
Wesbrook-Ikhine has been targeted 11 times and his seven catches have accounted for 42 yards (6.0 per catch). That’s not reflective of his career production; he has never averaged less than 11 yards per reception in his career, and his career mark is 13.6.
Last year, his 15.5 average ranked 10th in the league and his nine touchdowns were tied for ninth.
“I need to get him the ball and get him involved,” McDaniel said last Friday. “His physicality and what he can do in the run game people have seen, but with the ball in his hands, I think we saw a little taste of that in the preseason game against Chicago.”
Westbrook-Ikhine had just six targets and three receptions in his first six games for the Titans last season before finishing with 42 catches for 497 yards. He hopes this year plays out similarly, but it’s unclear if he will get the chance.
McDaniel hinted at potential lineup changes, and one option would be using more of Cedrick Wilson Jr. (a healthy scratch the past two weeks) or Dee Eskridge and less of Westbrook-Ikhine.
Asked if he believes if he could play more on offense on Sunday, Eskridge said he could envision that but doesn’t know for sure.
“My skill set definitely brings speed, brings physicality, another added monster to this offense of great athletes,” he said.
Wilson, for his part, said: “The guys who have been here training hard through training camp, through the first couple of weeks, they should definitely get their chances. That’s how I would want it if I had somewhere working hard.”
Injury update
▪ Tight end Julian Hill missed practice for the second day in a row with an ankle injury, leaving his status very much in question for Sunday’s game at Atlanta (1 p.m., CBS 4).
▪ Receiver Jaylen Waddle was limited at practice, with a designation of “hamstrings/rest.” Safety Elijah Campbell (quadriceps) and cornerback Jason Marshall Jr. (on injured reserve with a hamstring injury) were limited.
Here is lots of personnel news from Thursday media sessions with coaches.
This story was originally published October 23, 2025 at 4:54 PM.
