Is Darren Waller playing today? Status for Oct. 22 and the Dolphins’ Week 8 outlook

Bassyonni

ago 3 hours

darren waller

Darren Waller is not playing today. The Miami tight end was placed on injured reserve on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, with a pectoral injury sustained in Week 7. IR rules sideline him a minimum of four games, taking him out through at least mid-November unless he’s designated to return and activated thereafter.

Darren Waller injury update: what happened and the current timetable

Waller exited Miami’s Week 7 loss with a pectoral issue and did not return. Subsequent evaluation led the team to move him to injured reserve, a clear signal this is more than a day-to-day problem. Before the setback, Waller had flashed in a brief run after coming out of retirement, producing touchdowns in three straight games. The IR designation pauses that momentum and shifts Miami’s tight end depth chart for the coming month.

Key points:

Designation: Injured reserve as of Oct. 22.
Minimum absence: Four games (cannot play until eligible to be activated).
Recent form before injury: Efficient red-zone weapon with strong touchdown conversion.

Next Dolphins game and what it means

Miami’s next game is Sunday, Oct. 26 at 1:00 p.m. ET (5:00 p.m. UK) on the road in Atlanta. With Waller unavailable, Miami will likely elevate and rotate depth options to cover snaps and packages that previously featured his size and route versatility. Expect more two-receiver/slot looks in high-leverage downs and increased reliance on quick-game concepts to keep the chains moving.

What to watch in Week 8 without Waller:

Red-zone packages: Miami may lean on bigger bodies from the receiver room or deploy extra backs as chip-and-release targets near the goal line.
Third-down answers: Expect more motion and bunch formations to manufacture free releases that Waller often created on his own.
Tight end rotation: The club has promoted and shuffled depth to stabilize the room; how those snaps split will matter for both game flow and scouting reports.

Fantasy & betting implications

Bench Waller until further notice. With an IR stint, he’s a hold only in deeper leagues with IR spots; otherwise consider a move depending on roster needs.
Touchdown distribution shifts. Inside the 10-yard line, look for designed touches to tilt toward primary wideouts and pass-catching backs.
Prop markets: Tight end reception/yardage unders for Miami depth options could be volatile in Week 8 as roles settle; approach with caution until snap counts stabilize.

Timeline at a glance

Preseason/September: Waller returns to the league after sitting out 2024.
Weeks 4–6: Productive stretch with multiple touchdowns.
Week 7 (vs. Cleveland): Leaves early with a pectoral injury.
Oct. 22: Placed on injured reserve; out at least four games.

If your question is “Is Darren Waller playing today?” the answer is no—and he won’t be available for Miami’s Week 8 game on Sunday, Oct. 26 (1:00 p.m. ET / 5:00 p.m. UK) or for several weeks beyond. Monitor team updates in mid-November for a potential practice window and activation timeline, but plan your depth chart—and any fantasy decisions—around his multi-game absence.