The Miami Dolphins will be without Jaylen Waddle for their huge game against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 17 after the wide receiver injured his upper ankle last week. He will also likely miss the final game of the 2023 season against the Buffalo Bills, but is expected to return for the playoffs, according to NFL media.
Waddle missed practice this week due to an injury, but it was reportedly not serious.
When the injury first happened, head coach Mike McDaniel said: [type of injuries] It may be difficult. ”
Waddle was ejected in the third quarter of Miami’s Game 16 win over the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday. He appeared to be injured when he was tackled, had to work with the training staff, and ended up going to the locker room.
He had one reception for 50 yards before exiting the game. The Dolphins won 22-20, improving their record to 11-4.
The Dolphins’ remaining two games are important for division and playoff seeding.
The Dolphins and Ravens have both qualified for the playoffs, with Miami currently in second place and Baltimore currently in first place, but home-field advantage and a first-round bye are still up for grabs. If the Dolphins get a bye, Waddle will have an extra week to let his ankle heal.
A bye is not the only chance of victory. Next week’s AFC East game against Buffalo could decide the division champion with the Dolphins at 11-4 and the Bills at 9-6.
Waddle’s absence for these two games was a major setback for the Dolphins’ offense. This season, Waddle had 72 receptions for 1,014 yards, averaging 14.1 yards per catch and scoring four touchdowns.