One of the few bright spots in the Dolphins’ 2025 season is gone for now — but that may not be the worst thing given what could come next

The Dolphins placed TE Darren Waller on injured reserve but I could be convinced that’s not a bad thing in the big picture.

Kyle Crabbs — NFL National Writer
Add as preferred source on Google
Sep 29, 2025; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins tight end Darren Waller (83) reacts after the game against the New York Jets at Hard Rock Stadium. Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

One of the few feel good stories of the Miami Dolphins season in 2025 has experienced a pretty major bit of turbulence. Miami, sitting at 1-6 and facing the prospect of two games in the next eight days, is now going to be putting together game plans without another one of their most prolific offensive weapons. The Dolphins lost Tyreek Hill in Week 4 of this season for the year.

They’ve now lost tight end Darren Waller for at least the next four weeks. But hear me out — this may not be the worst thing in the world.

Dolphins elevate intriguing tight end to take Darren Waller’s place on the 53-man roster

Sep 29, 2025; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins tight end Darren Waller (83) reacts after the game against the New York Jets at Hard Rock Stadium. Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Welp. That was fast. Tight end Darren Waller’s return coincided with the loss of Tyreek Hill. And now, less than a month later, Waller is set to miss (at least) the next four games. Miami formally placed Waller on injured reserve with a pec strain on Wednesday. There’s no question that Waller was one of the most unique weapons in Miami’s arsenal. They’ll now need to make due without him.

His replacement does have my interest, however. Veteran tight end Greg Dulcich was once a top tight end prospect out of UCLA and was drafted in the top-100 by the Denver Broncos in 2022. Hamstring issues derailed the early portion of his career but he’d shown flashes of production and potential in the preseason with the Giants.

Dulcich ultimately did not make the Giants’ roster amid an influx of new names to the position in the last two years. Now, he’ll look to make a mark in Miami.

Miami Dolphins 2025 tight end room

  • Tight end Julian Hill
  • Tight end Tanner Conner
  • Tight end Greg Dulcich
  • Tight end Darren Waller (injured reserve)

Here’s why I think it matters and here’s why i’m interested. Darren Waller was retired last year. It should come to no one’s surprise that this was a short-term bridge at the position. And Waller’s future in the league is short. He turned 33 years old in September.

Greg Dulcich is 25. He posted 411 receiving yards as a rookie in 2022 while playing a position that typically requires significant time in the league to develop. He’s been with Miami since August 28th. That time on the practice squad has allowed him to absorb the vast array of responsibilities tight ends need to be accountable for in this offense. Now, we’ll get a look at him suiting up to play.

I’m not going to tell you Greg Dulcich is a future All-Pro. Or even a long-term starter. But there’s potential here for some unearthed talent to have fallen into your lap. The physical ability is not a question. And for a team like Miami, they need all the swings of the bat that they can get to land talent. This gives them an opportunity to find out what they have. We know what the future holds for Darren Waller. The Miami Dolphins aren’t going to be a part of it for long.

Greg Dulcich? Who knows? Maybe he’s a long-term option for a spot on the roster. But we’re about to find out. And when you’re 1-6, that’s where your mindset needs to be.

Related Articles