Darren Waller Injury Update: When Will TE Return to Dolphins?

Darren Waller was well on his way to throwing his name into the NFL Comeback Player of the Year conversation before he suffered a pectoral injury against the Cleveland Browns in Week 7. Dolphins fans and fantasy football owners are now asking when Waller will return and be back on the playing field. This Waller injury update will have all of the latest information, and also take a look at the tight end’s fantasy stock moving forward. We will also take a glance at the Dolphins' betting odds.

⏳ When will Darren Waller return and be back with Dolphins?

The Dolphins placed Waller on the injured reserve list on Oct. 22. His injury is described as a "soft tissue pectoral strain."

The recovery time for a mild soft tissue pectoral strain is typically 2-3 weeks. The recovery time for a moderate soft tissue pectoral strain is usually 4-8 weeks.

It appears that Waller suffered a moderate pectoral strain. With the Dolphins having placed the veteran TE on IR, Waller will have to miss at least four games. 

The Dolphins have a bye in Week 12, so the earliest we could see Waller return is Sunday, Nov. 30 against the New Orleans Saints (Week 13).

Given that Waller has a lengthy injury history, and that the Dolphins’ playoff hopes are all but dashed, Miami probably won’t be rushing him back. They could opt to give him an extra week or two after the bye to make sure that he’s fully recovered.

Here is the Dolphins' schedule around the time that Waller is likely to return.

• Week 13 Sunday, Nov. 30: New Orleans Saints at Miami Dolphins
• Week 14 Sunday, Dec. 7: Miami Dolphins at New York Jets
• Week 15 Monday, Dec. 15: Miami Dolphins at Pittsburgh Steelers
• Week 16 Sunday, Dec. 21: Cincinnati Bengals at Miami Dolphins

🩹 How long will Darren Waller be out for?

When the Dolphins placed Waller on IR, head coach Mike McDaniel talked about how this would not be a season-ending injury for Waller.

"It's a situation that, probably, it would be living in hope to see him in the upcoming weeks' games, but he'll be diligent," McDaniel said, via WPTV in West Palm Beach. "This means a lot to him, but that's kind of where I'm at with it right now with the information I have."

Waller retired after the 2023 season and did not play in 2024.  He had multiple stints on the IR due to various injuries during his final seasons with the Raiders and his only season with the Giants.

🏈 Darren Waller fantasy football outlook

Waller went undrafted in most Yahoo! fantasy football leagues. He is currently owned in 23% of Yahoo! leagues.

The 33-year-old TE was one of the more popular waiver wire pickups early in the season, as he caught two TD passes in his first game as a Dolphin, in a Monday night game against the Jets on Sept. 29.

Waller also found the end zone in his second and third game as a member of the Dolphins.

With Tyreek Hill out for the season, Waller will be one of the top options for the Miami offense when he returns.

🐬 Dolphins betting odds

The Dolphins own +10000 Super Bowl odds. That is tied for the largest number on the board at the best NFL betting sites.

Miami’s win total projection is now just 4.5 victories. The Dolphins had a season-long Over/Under of 7.5 wins prior to the start of the season.

McDaniels’ squad is a major long shot to win the AFC East, owning +30000 odds.