Will Jaylen Waddle Be Ready for Week 1?

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Jaylen Waddle, the Miami Dolphins‘ dynamic third-year extensive receiver, has not practiced since hurting his midsection two weeks in the past.

The Dolphins should hope he’s midway by his restoration from what doesn’t look like a super-significant harm. As a result of the common season begins in 19 days, and the Dolphins wish to see how he responds in apply earlier than placing him in a recreation towards the Los Angeles Chargers on Sept. 10.

Miami Dolphins RB Jaylen Waddle Harm Replace

Dolphins extensive receivers coach Wes Welker on Tuesday offered an replace on Waddle, who didn’t apply Tuesday however seemed comparatively agile whereas doing rehab.

PFN requested Welker how a lot he must see of Waddle to be comfy enjoying him within the opener — and if a return to the apply the week of the Chargers recreation can be sufficient.

Right here was Welker’s response in full:

“You understand, it’s not supreme, however you understand, Jaylen’s [been] on this offense, it’s his second yr now. He obtained loads of reps this spring and every part. So, you understand, I really feel like he’s fairly dialed in, you understand, particularly being a younger participant.

“You desire to him to get a few of these reps earlier than our Week 1 and every part. However on the similar time, you understand, he is aware of it and, you understand, and every part like that. So I’m not too frightened about it. It’s extra about his well being and ensuring that he’s able to go and able to maintain for the entire yr.”

Translation: The Dolphins would like to have him in Week 1, however they completely want him in Week 18 (and hopefully past).

With all due respect to Cedrick Wilson Jr., Braxton Berrios, Robbie Chosen, and Erik Ezukanma, they’re not Jaylen Waddle.

The final word slot receiver Wes Welker on Braxton Berrios as a slot receiver pic.twitter.com/Q3oBB49noQ

— Adam Beasley (@AdamHBeasley) August 22, 2023

And to beat the very best groups within the AFC, the Dolphins want each Waddle and Tyreek Hill to be at their finest.

So within the quick time period at the least, Miami must depend on at the least one, and doubtless two of these 4 aforementioned gamers, who’ve battled all camp for the WR3 spot.

“I believe everyone remains to be competing, and Braxton has achieved a heck of a job and achieved some actually good issues so far as getting out and in of breaks and understanding the route ideas and every part like that,” Welker stated.

“So, you understand, it’s nonetheless an open competitors. We’re nonetheless making an attempt to determine it out. We nonetheless have per week left to guage and see, you understand, who reveals up on a constant foundation. However I really feel like loads of guys are doing loads of nice issues and, and type of see how that performs out.”