Jaylen Waddle 'questionable' after suffering shoulder injury following another dropped deep pass play

A bad start is getting worse for the Miami Dolphins in their Wild Card showdown against the Buffalo Bills.

There was already a low margin for error for Mike McDaniel’s squad, but a couple of drops early on from star wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle have put a damper on things. Now, the latter has appeared to suffer an apparent shoulder injury, as the former Alabama wide receiver dropped another pass and went to the medical tent afterwards.

Check out the video of the play below, shared to Twitter by NFL report Dov Kleiman.

Waddle appears to drop another one, this one on 3rd and 15.

Came right after a Tyreek Hill drop.

The #Dolphins best players aren't stepping up.pic.twitter.com/0qx8lOqM75

— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) January 15, 2023

Afterwards, the Miami Dolphins team account took to Twitter to provide an update on Waddle’s shoulder, stating he’s questionable to return.

Injury Update | Jaylen Waddle has a shoulder injury and is questionable to return.

— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) January 15, 2023

“Injury Update | Jaylen Waddle has a shoulder injury and is questionable to return,” tweeted the Dolphins.

Alas, a tough task could become insurmountable without Jaylen Waddle for Miami, but time will tell if he’s able to get back on the field on Sunday.

Tua Tagovailoa ‘expected to return’ as Miami Dolphins starting quarterback next season

Tua Tagovailoa isn’t starting Sunday’s Wild Card showdown with the Buffalo Bills, but he is expected to be the Miami Dolphins starting quarterback in 2023.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Dolphins are bringing back the former first round pick for another season, despite the harrowing injuries he’s suffered over the last couple of months.

“Tua Tagovailoa is expected to return as the Miami Dolphins’ starting quarterback for the 2023 season, league sources told ESPN,” wrote Schefter. “Should the seventh-seeded Dolphins upset the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, Tagovailoa could potentially be cleared from the concussion protocol and work his way back to the field.

“But regardless of what happens in Sunday’s wild-card round game in Buffalo or throughout Miami’s postseason, the Dolphins have been pleased with Tagovailoa’s development this season under first year coach Mike McDaniel, according to sources.”

Additionally, Schefter also wrote that there isn’t expected to be any long-term health effects regarding the numerous injuries the former Alabama star suffered in 2022.

“Medical professionals also are confident that Tagovailoa should be able to resume his NFL career next season, if not sooner, sources said,” added Schefter.

Moreover, the Dolphins are starting rookie Skylar Thompson in Sunday’s playoff game with Tagovailoa out. On the season thus far, Thompson has amassed 534 passing yards and one passing touchdown, throwing three interceptions as well. 

While his numbers haven’t been gaudy, he led the Dolphins to their playoff-clinching 11-6 victory over the New York Jets last Sunday.

Meanwhile, in 13 appearances this season, the aforementioned Tagovailoa amassed 3,548 yards, 25 touchdowns, and eight interceptions. He had been a fan favorite all year, leading the NFL in Pro Bowl voting earlier this season. 

Now, it seems as if the story isn’t over for Tua Tagovailoa in Miami, and he’ll look to comeback better than ever for the Miami Dolphins.