Dolphins say Darren Waller’s comeback in doubt after hip strain

Darren Waller’s planned return to the NFL is in jeopardy after the Miami Dolphins revealed the veteran tight end is dealing with a hip strain that could keep him off the field this season.

Coach Mike McDaniel on Wednesday gave an ominous update, saying the team may not know the full extent of the problem until later in the week and that the club could determine the risk to Waller is too great to allow him to play. “I expect to not know what to expect until later on this week,” McDaniel told reporters. “We may get to a point where we realize the risk is too great for the rest of the season and we’ll have to do what’s best for the team.”

Waller, 32, came out of retirement this offseason after stepping away while with the New York Giants following a serious medical episode in November 2023 that left him hospitalized. In his retirement announcement last year he said he had been so debilitated he could not feed himself or stand. He signed with Miami with the expectation of resuming his career, but was ruled out late last week with the hip strain after a seemingly healthy offseason.

The injury compounds an already unsettled start to the Dolphins’ season. Miami lost to the Indianapolis Colts 33-8 in a recent game, and Tyreek Hill is under investigation by the NFL stemming from an allegation of domestic violence by his ex-wife. Roster moves this offseason included trading starting tight end Jonnu Smith, along with cornerback Jalen Ramsey, to the Pittsburgh Steelers in a deal that brought safety Minkah Fitzpatrick to Miami, according to team reports. Smith, who posted a career-high 884 receiving yards last season, had five catches for 15 yards and a touchdown on Sunday against the Jets.

With Waller sidelined, third-year tight end Tanner Conner has been the primary option at the position. Conner had two catches for 20 yards on Sunday; prior to that he had three career catches for 16 yards. The uncertainty around Waller’s availability increases pressure on a receiving corps already adjusting to personnel changes and off-field distractions.

McDaniel did not provide a specific timeline for Waller’s recovery but emphasized that player safety and the team’s long-term interests will guide decision-making. The Dolphins medical staff and coaching personnel will continue evaluations this week to determine whether the hip injury represents a short-term setback or a season-ending concern.

Waller’s potential absence would be a major development for Miami. The former All-Pro has been one of the league’s most productive tight ends when healthy, and his return from retirement had been viewed as a boost to the Dolphins’ offense. The team must now weigh the risk of aggravating the injury against the benefit of having his talent available, a decision McDaniel suggested could come into focus later in the week.

If the Dolphins decide to keep Waller off the active roster for the season, they will lean on Conner and other receiving options to fill the void while medical staff continue treatment and monitoring. The organization faces a critical stretch of regular-season games as it seeks clarity on Waller’s condition and navigates other roster and disciplinary issues that have affected the team’s early campaign.