The long-awaited debut of tight end Darren Waller may finally happen for the Miami Dolphins.
Coach Mike McDaniel said he expects Waller, who missed the first three games of the season, to play when the Dolphins next take the field, on Sept. 29 for a Monday night game against the visiting New York Jets. Waller has been out with a hip injury.
Waller was obtained in a trade with the New York Giants in July, saying he wanted to make a comeback from retirement at age 33. But he hasn’t been seen on the playing field and rarely seen even on the practice field.
McDaniel said Waller nearly debuted in the 31-21 loss to Buffalo.
“If the game was on Sunday, not Thursday, it would have been a closer shot,” McDaniel said. “I feel very good about — this is an important week. I have in my mind the expectation that he’s going to play against the Jets.”
Waller made the Pro Bowl with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2020, the second of his back-to-back 1,100-yard receiving seasons. If he can even slightly resemble his old self, it would be a lift for an offense that has gotten little from its tight ends in terms of downfield threats. Tanner Conner has three catches for 33 yards. Julian Hill has one catch for 4.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Miami Dolphins expect tight end Darren Waller to debut vs. New York Jets on Monday Night Football
Reporting by Hal Habib, Palm Beach Post / Palm Beach Post
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
