The Miami Dolphins are no strangers to bold moves, but their latest headline-grabber is turning heads across the NFL landscape. On August 23, 2025, the Dolphins officially signed veteran tight end Darren Waller, a player whose career has been a rollercoaster of soaring highs and frustrating setbacks. After spending the entire 2024 season in retirement, the 32-year-old Waller is lacing up his cleats once again, this time with hopes of making an impact in sunny Miami.
Waller’s journey back to the gridiron is anything but ordinary. Best known for his electrifying seasons with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2019 and 2020, Waller surpassed the 1,000-yard receiving mark in both years, cementing his reputation as one of the league’s most dynamic tight ends. Those days, however, feel a world away as questions swirl about his current form and readiness. Injuries have dogged Waller throughout his career, and a full year away from football has only added to the uncertainty.
"It’s hard to know what to expect from a guy who’s been out of the league for a year and has dealt with so many injuries," observed NFL analyst Mark Schlereth on the 104.3 WQAM Hoch, Crowder & Solana Show. Schlereth’s skepticism echoes the sentiments of many fans and pundits: Can Waller recapture even a glimpse of his former glory, or will this signing fade into the background as just another offseason gamble?
The Dolphins, for their part, are embracing the risk. Coach Mike McDaniel and the front office are hoping that Waller’s experience and past production can inject a new dimension into their offense. But they’re also moving cautiously, aware that the road to a successful comeback is paved with obstacles. The team’s approach to Waller’s integration has been measured, if not downright cautious, since bringing him on board.
Since being activated off the physically-unable-to-perform (PUP) list on August 20, Waller has been visible at the Baptist Health Training Complex in Miami Gardens, but not exactly active in the way fans might hope. He dressed for the intrasquad practice on August 20 and again for a joint session with the Jacksonville Jaguars on August 22. Yet, during these appearances, he didn’t participate in any actual field drills beyond the team stretch. The Dolphins are clearly in no rush to thrust him into the fray.
Saturday night’s preseason finale against the Jacksonville Jaguars was a case in point. Waller suited up for pregame warmups, running light routes and catching passes from all the quarterbacks, but by kickoff, he had traded his pads for sweatpants and watched from the sidelines. Coach McDaniel later clarified that the plan was always to let Waller go through a pregame routine without exposing him to game action. “We just wanted Darren to get a feel for the environment and the routine, but there was never any intention to play him tonight,” McDaniel explained.
For Dolphins fans eager to see their new tight end in action, the wait continues. Waller’s absence from the preseason contest was just one of several notable personnel decisions on Saturday. Star wide receiver Jaylen Waddle suited up and started, giving quarterback Tua Tagovailoa at least one of his top targets. Tyreek Hill, however, remained sidelined with an oblique injury that has kept him off the practice field for nearly three weeks. Running back De’Von Achane, right tackle Austin Jackson, and a host of other contributors were also held out, either as a precaution or due to lingering injuries.
The Dolphins’ cautious approach extended beyond Waller. The preseason finale quickly turned into a test of depth as injuries struck several key players. Kicker Jason Sanders exited early with an undisclosed injury, forcing punter Jake Bailey to handle kickoff duties and even attempt a 51-yard field goal, which sailed wide left. Without Sanders, Miami opted for two-point conversions rather than extra-point attempts. Safety Ifeatu Melifonwu, after starting the game, was seen in the injury tent nursing what appeared to be an upper-body issue. Linebackers Channing Tindall and Eugene Asante also left the field with injuries, with Asante’s night potentially impacting his standing ahead of Tuesday’s roster cuts.
Despite the injury setbacks and the absence of several starters, the Dolphins used the exhibition as a dress rehearsal for the regular season. Outside linebacker Jaelan Phillips was a bright spot, leading the defenders onto the field for warmups and providing a spark for the defense. The coaching staff, meanwhile, continued to evaluate bubble players looking to make a final impression before the roster is trimmed down.
All eyes, though, remained fixed on Darren Waller. His presence alone has injected a sense of intrigue and hope into the Dolphins’ tight end room, which has lacked a true difference-maker in recent years. Waller’s best seasons in Las Vegas are the stuff of legend among fantasy football enthusiasts and Raiders fans alike. In 2019 and 2020, he was nearly unstoppable, racking up receptions and yards with ease. But those seasons were followed by a string of injuries and a stint with the New York Giants in 2023 that never quite lived up to expectations.
After stepping away from the game in 2024, Waller’s decision to return has been met with both excitement and a fair share of raised eyebrows. The Dolphins are banking on his ability to bring veteran leadership and playmaking ability to an offense that already boasts considerable firepower. But as Schlereth and others have noted, the physical toll of the NFL is unforgiving, and a year away from live action only adds to the challenge.
With the regular season looming, the Dolphins will continue to monitor Waller’s progress closely. The team’s cautious handling of his return suggests they’re playing the long game, hoping to have him at full strength when it matters most. Whether Waller can recapture the magic of his Raiders days or simply provide a reliable target in key moments remains to be seen. For now, his comeback story is still being written, and Miami’s gamble is just beginning to unfold.
As the Dolphins navigate a preseason filled with injuries, high expectations, and the uncertainty that comes with big-name signings, one thing is clear: all eyes will be on Darren Waller when the season kicks off. Will he rise to the occasion, or will this chapter in his career be a footnote? Only time will tell, but Miami fans can’t help but hope for a little bit of that old Las Vegas magic.
