The Dolphins placed Waller (groin) on injured reserve Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Waller could not get on the practice field in any capacity throughout Week 18 prep, and he'll now move to IR in advance of Sunday's season finale against the Patriots. The veteran tight end thus wraps his comeback campaign, having come out of retirement to play for the Dolphins in 2025, with 24 catches for 283 yards and six touchdowns (on 34 targets) across nine regular-season appearances. While Waller's overall production doesn't jump off the page, when healthy he showcased playmaking ability and a capacity to thrive in the red zone that should appeal to multiple offenses across the league. That said, Waller played out 2025 on a one-year, $2 million deal with Miami and now is set to hit free agency, and it remains to be seen whether the 33-year-old tight end will even decide to return for another NFL season. Greg Dulcich will operate as the top pass-catching tight end for rookie quarterback Quinn Ewers in Week 18 with Waller unavailable.

Waller (groin) did not practice Thursday, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

EDGE Analysis

Waller has now missed back-to-back practices to begin preparation for Sunday's regular-season finale against the Patriots, making his chances of suiting up for Week 18 appear murky. The veteran tight end has regularly had his practice reps capped throughout the season, but it may be that he'll need to return as at least a limited participant at Friday's practice for any chance of being cleared to go Sunday. Greg Dulcich and Julian Hill will operate as the Dolphins' top tight ends if Waller is unable to play.

Waller (groin) did not practice Wednesday, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

EDGE Analysis

Waller logged a DNP/LP/LP practice pattern in advance of being cleared for Miami's win over Tampa Bay in Week 17, but he was listed with a rest/groin designation then. Now, the veteran tight end seems to simply be managing his groin injury. Waller will have two more chances to return to practice ahead of Sunday's regular-season finale on the road against New England. He secured just one of three targets for zero receiving yards versus the Buccaneers, while fellow tight end Greg Dulcich put together a 5-58-1 receiving line on six targets.

Waller secured one of three targets for zero receiving yards during Miami's 20-17 win over the Buccaneers on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Waller curiously took a back seat to Greg Dulcich in Week 17, who secured five of six targets for 58 yards and one touchdown. The share of offensive snaps handled by Waller (38 percent) and Dulcich (36 percent) was essentially even, while blocking specialist Julian Hill (60 percent) also caught one of his two targets for 16 yards. Waller stands to continue splitting pass-catching opportunities at the TE position with Dulcich when the Dolphins close out the regular season at New England in Week 18.

Waller (groin/rest) does not carry an injury designation for Sunday's home game against Tampa Bay, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

EDGE Analysis

Waller began Week 17 as a non-participant at practice and has since been listed as 'limited' in back-to-back sessions. The veteran tight end has regularly had his practice reps impacted for load management purposes and health reasons this season. In rookie quarterback Quinn Ewers' first start in Week 16 against the Bengals, Waller managed a respectable three catches for 40 yards on five targets. Waller again will operate as one of Ewers' clear top options in the receiving game versus the Buccaneers on Sunday.

Waller (groin/rest) was deemed to be limited on Thursday's practice estimation, Brianna Dix of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Waller didn't practice Wednesday, so his designation of limited one day later -- though Miami didn't actually practice Thursday -- is promising. It has to be noted that the Dolphins are indicating both Waller's lingering groin issue and rest as the reasons for his statuses so far this week, and the veteran tight end has consistently had his practice reps managed since returning from a four-game absence Week 13. With that in mind, the expectation should be that he'll be available for Sunday's matchup against Tampa Bay.

Waller (groin/rest) didn't practice Wednesday, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

EDGE Analysis

Waller is listed on the practice report as being held out due to both the groin issue and rest, so it sounds like this is a maintenance day for him. Waller has been having his practice reps managed and has regularly been limited in practices, though Wednesday's DNP is a bit out of the norm. Still, there's currently nothing to suggest that the veteran tight end is in danger of missing Sunday's matchup against Tampa Bay.

Waller brought in three of five targets for 40 yards in the Dolphins' 45-21 loss to the Bengals on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Waller couldn't fully exploit what has been the most favorable matchup in the league for tight ends this season, although he did contribute a 22-yard grab on one of his three catches. The veteran tight end was working with rookie quarterback Quinn Ewers for the first time, and given they flashed some solid chemistry, Waller could be set for even more work against another defense that tends to give up production to his position, that of the Buccaneers, in a Week 17 home matchup.

Waller (rest/knee) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game versus the Bengals, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

EDGE Analysis

Waller was listed as limited Wednesday and Thursday with rest/knee, but his return to all activity Friday clears him for Week 16 action. He'll be working with a new signal-caller Sunday, as rookie Quinn Ewers is taking over for Tua Tagovailoa. Nevertheless, in his seven appearances this season, Waller has had a knack for finding the end zone, as evidenced by his 20-243-6 line on 26 targets.

Waller (knee/rest) was a limited participation in Thursday's practice, Jay Morrison of SI.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Waller continues to have his practice reps managed, as has been standard for the veteran tight end all season. Barring any setbacks, there's not yet any reason to believe Waller's status is in much genuine doubt for Sunday's matchup against the Bengals. Waller is fresh off a two-TD performance on Monday Night Football against the Steelers and now faces an exceptional matchup against the league's worst-rank defense against opposing TEs, but Miami's overall passing game carries an air of uncertainty heading into what will be the first regular-season start of rookie Quinn Ewers' career.