The Miami Dolphins got a bit of a Christmas gift when it was revealed that Jaylen Waddle might not be sidelined for long by an injury he suffered on Sunday.
Mike McDaniel says he's optimistic the Waddle injury shouldn't keep him out long. https://t.co/TVArWm1ZYH
— David Furones (@DavidFurones_) December 25, 2023
Head coach Mike McDaniel provided the update on the wide receiver on Monday. The ailment was described as more of a high ankle injury rather than a shin injury as was originally thought.
Waddle left the comeback victory against the Cowboys twice, finally for good after injuring his leg on a short run in the third quarter. In the second quarter, he was forced to exit after being poked in the eye but was able to return.
A 50-yard reception on the team’s first drive of the game was his only catch of the contest. He was coming off a game where he had eight receptions for 142 receiving yards and a touchdown against the New York Jets in the absence of the injured Tyreek Hill.
The University of Alabama product has 72 catches for 1,014 receiving yards and four touchdowns in 14 games played this season.
On Sunday, the Dolphins defeated the Cowboys 22-20 on a field goal by Jason Sanders as time expired. It was the kicker’s fifth field goal of the game.
The Dolphins have now clinched a playoff berth, which could conceivably give Waddle at least one more week to be able to return from his injury if needed. With an 11-4 record to date, Miami has a huge game at the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday before its regular season finale on Jan. 7 against the Buffalo Bills.
The game against the Ravens could go a long way toward deciding the No. 1 seed in the AFC and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. Baltimore has an 11-3 record and is set to play at the San Francisco 49ers on Monday night.
The Dolphins would certainly like to have Waddle available for that crucial upcoming contest on Sunday. But having already secured a playoff position, they could exercise caution as they try to get him fully healthy for their attempt at advancing to and winning the Super Bowl.
