Jaylen Waddle exits Patriots-Dolphins matchup in fourth quarter, being evaluated for concussion
The Miami Dolphins suffered a big loss on Sunday evening, as one of their electrifying wideouts, speedster Jaylen Waddle, was knocked out of the game in the final few minutes of their game against the Patriots. Waddle was down on the ground for a few minutes, before being looked at by the Dolphins’ medical staff. He eventually got up and walked off the field on his own power, before making his way into the medical tent for examination.
According to the Dolphins Twitter page, Waddle was being evaluated for a concussion.
Miami ended up winning on Sunday Night Football, 24-17.
Here’s a clip of the hit below if you wanted to see the play.
Before exiting the game late in the fourth quarter, Waddle finished with four catches for 86 receiving yards.
The Patriots did a great job of taking away Tyreek Hill’s deep balls on Sunday night, but Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel made them pay dearly on the ground, with running back Raheem Mostert. Mostert finished with 121 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries.
Waddle hauled in over 1,000 receiving yards in each of his first two years in the league.
The Dolphins selected the former Crimson Tide star with the sixth overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft.
Last season, Waddle led the NFL in yards per reception, averaging 18.1 yards per catch. He caught 75 passes for 1,356 yards and eight touchdowns. He and Tyreek Hill give the Dolphins one of the most formidable passing attacks in the NFL as long as quarterback Tua Tagovailoa stays healthy.
Waddle has been a massive part of Tua Tagovailoa’s success. The pair share excellent chemistry from their playing days with the Alabama Crimson Tide and it shows on the field.
Not only does the former Tide star share excellent chemistry with Tua, but he also helps to take attention away from Tyreek Hill. Having two receivers with that much speed and acceleration is simply unfair.
Waddle even got his jersey in the Pro Football Hall of Fame with Tagovailoa’s after their record-setting performance against the Baltimore Ravens in 2022.
Waddle enjoyed an incredible rookie season in 2021. He set the NFL record for the most receptions by a rookie with 104. He also reeled in 1,015 receiving yards and six touchdown catches.
Next Sunday, Sept. 24th, the Dolphins will take on the Denver Broncos. That one will kick off at 1:00 PM EST.
On3’s Suzanne Halliburton also contributed to this article.