Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle is not at full strength from the ankle injury he suffered last season.
“We hear Jaylen Waddle is still not entirely back from his last ankle injury,” wrote Adam H. Beasley of Pro Football Network.
“Waddle’s surgically repaired right ankle is taped tight before he takes the practice field. His left one on Thursday was not.
“That’s just one small data point, but it supports what we’ve heard independently — that right ankle is still somewhat of an issue nine full months after the then-Alabama star broke it in a game.”
Waddle, 22, was the No. 6 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Even though Waddle is back on the field, some in the Dolphins organization are apprehensive about how explosive he can be.
“But Waddle, even now, still at times walks with a limp,” wrote Beasley. “There are some within the organization who believe he doesn’t yet have the full explosiveness that made him such a weapon at Alabama and the No. 6 pick in the NFL Draft.”
Yet, Waddle is confident and comfortable.
As a matter of fact, he made it a point to let everyone know he is getting all his reps in and is doing well.
“Yeah, I’m feeling good,” Waddle said on Thursday. “I’m practicing, getting all my reps, so I’m good.”
The Dolphins are hoping to make strong progress in their rebuild this upcoming season.
Waddle has experience with star quarterback Tua Tagovailoa from their time together at the University of Alabama. The wide receiver has spoken highly of Tagovailoa, who is emerging as a franchise leader.
