The Dolphins’ bye-week recovery looks ready to pay off as another top offensive starter set to take a major step toward returning to action
What’s better than one impact starter returning? Two!
The Miami Dolphins are gearing up to lock horns with the New Orleans Saints on Sunday after taking advantage of some extra rest this past week. When they do, they’ll likely take the field with at least one familiar face back in the lineup — offensive tackle Austin Jackson had his activation window opened ahead of the team’s Week 11 contest against the Washington Commanders in Spain. With a week of practice, a full bye week this past week, and now this week’s buildup to playing the Saints, it’s fair to expect Jackson to suit up at right tackle for the first time since Week 1.
But he won’t be the only face returning to the practice field and, potentially, the starting lineup this week. Miami’s offense is getting another one of the most impactful players back into the fray, per head coach Mike McDaniel.
Dolphins tight end Darren Waller will have his 21-day activation window opened
Head coach Mike McDaniel, during his Monday press availability, revealed that not only will Miami see Jackson’s workload ramp up this week ahead of the Saints game, but Miami will also welcome back tight end Darren Waller to the practice field. Waller, who made a massive splash in Miami upon his debut with the lineup in Week 4 against the New York Jets, suffered a pec injury against the Cleveland Browns and has been on injured reserve since.
Miami has stuck it out despite injuries to Waller and fellow tight end Julian Hill, turning to offensive lineman Daniel Brunskill and fourth-year tight end Greg Dulcich to stay heavy with their personnel packages in Waller’s absence.
Dulcich has flashed a lot and should be considered an intriguing development for the long-term. But he does not have the rare, elite ball tracking and catch point adjustment skills of Waller. The big mystery will be whether Waller got enough ramp-up work over the bye week to be in position to play against the Saints or if he’ll follow the Dolphins’ typical standard of opening an activation window before methodically taking several weeks before putting players back into action.
Dolphins 2025 receiving leaders through Week 12
- RB De’Von Achane – 54 receptions, 370 yards, 4 touchdowns
- WR Jaylen Waddle – 49 receptions, 722 yards, 5 touchdowns
- WR Malik Washington – 33 receptions, 234 yards, 2 touchdowns
- WR Tyreek Hill – 21 receptions, 265 yards, 1 touchdown
- TE Julian Hill – 11 receptions, 91 yards
- WR Nick Westbrook-Ikhine – 11 receptions, 89 yards
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Here lies ‘Miami Dolphins’ 21-personnel’. 2022-2025.
