Jaylen Waddle’s fourth season has been uncharacteristically slow after three consecutive 1,000-yard campaigns. The former first-round pick posted five receptions for 109 yards against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 1 but hasn’t exceeded 46 yards in the seven games since.
Waddle had a limited role in Sunday’s 30-27 loss to the Buffalo Bills but made the most of his season-low two targets. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa didn’t look his way until just 2:34 remained in the game, connecting for a 12-yard out-route on third and seven from Buffalo’s 35-yard line.
Miami’s fourth-year receiver suffered a cleat to the back of his leg on the following play but returned in time to catch his first touchdown of 2024, a seven-yard reception to tie the game with just 98 seconds remaining. Waddle’s day was set to end with two catches for 19 yards and a touchdown — until the Dolphins became desperate on the game’s final play.
Trailing by three points with just four seconds on the clock, Tagovailoa passed the ball to running back De’Von Achane at Miami’s 30-yard line. Achane lateralled the ball to Waddle, who ran backward trying to escape pressure.
By the time Greg Rousseau brought down Waddle, it was for a loss of 23 yards — the most negative yards on a completed pass this century, according to Fox Sports. On top of that, it dropped Tagovailoa’s total passing yards from 255 to 231 — which didn’t help bettors and fantasy football players.
The Dolphins face an uphill battle to keep playoff hopes alive after dropping five of the last six games. That said, Sunday’s performance was a step in the right direction for the offense and Waddle — even if he finished the day with two receptions for negative four yards and a touchdown.
