The Miami Dolphins will take on the Denver Broncos this Sunday, but they may not have one of their star receivers for the Week 3 matchup. So is Jaylen Waddle playing? He remains in the concussion protocol after a helmet-to-helmet hit in Week 2. Let’s look at the most recent Jaylen Waddle injury updates as we assess whether he will be available in Week 3.
UPDATE (9/23/2023 at 4:15 p.m. ET): Jaylen Waddle has been ruled out of Sunday’s Broncos-Dolphins game, per NFL Insider Adam Schefter.
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Jaylen Waddle Injury Update: Is Miami’s Star Playing Sunday?
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Jaylen Waddle Injury Update
Last week’s Dolphins-Patriots game saw wide receiver Jaylen Waddle suffer a concussion from a helmet-to-helmet hit by linebacker Marte Mapu. He entered the concussion protocol and no announcement has been made about whether he has cleared it. Waddle missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday but logged limited reps on Friday.
Waddle’s participation on Friday was quite limited. He was seen catching passes from Tua Tagovailoa while wearing a non-contact jersey and dancing to Kirk Franklin. But while Waddle might be feeling good, the decision about whether he can play in Week 3 requires him to clear the concussion protocol.
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Is Jaylen Waddle Playing for Miami in Week 3?
So is Jaylen Waddle playing for Miami in Week 3? His appearance at Friday’s practice is encouraging, and he has a chance to suit up. Waddle didn’t suffer a concussion in college, and his Week 2 one was the first of his professional career. His lack of history with concussions makes it likelier that he’ll clear the protocol quickly.
The NFL’s concussion protocol has several steps. In the first, players are supposed to rest. In the next, they’re allowed to participate in limited aerobic activity, then, they’re allowed to participate in limited football-specific drills. In the fourth and final stage, they can participate in non-contact drills, which appears to be where Waddle is at in the process.
It’s not a guarantee that Waddle will play on Sunday, but the fact he has progressed through the protocol so quickly is a good sign. I strongly suspect that he’ll play on Sunday, but again, the decision ultimately comes down to his doctors, not him or head coach Mike McDaniel.