Miami Dolphins standout wide receiver Jaylen Waddle and running back De’Von Achane are both unlikely to play in the team’s finale against the New England Patriots, according to an ESPN report Sunday morning.
That much was expected for Achane, who entered doubtful after he didn’t practice through a shoulder injury all week. Waddle was questionable with ailing ribs suffered last week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Dolphins inactives will be officially announced 90 minutes prior to the 4:25 p.m. kickoff at Gillette Stadium.
Between Achane and Waddle, their 2,776 combined yards from scrimmage account for 53.7 percent of Miami’s total offense entering Week 18.
Achane finishes the season with 1,350 rushing yards, which is third in team history. His 1,838 yards from scrimmage are second-most in franchise history.
Waddle finishes 2025 with 910 receiving yards, ending up shy of 1,000 yards for the second consecutive season after he had reached the mark each of his first three NFL seasons.
At running back, Miami will likely go with a heavy dose of young tailbacks Jaylen Wright and Ollie Gordon II, while veteran Jeff Wilson Jr. was called up from the practice squad Saturday. As far as pass-catchers go, rookie quarterback Quinn Ewers, making his third start, can look the way of wide receivers Malik Washington, Cedrick Wilson Jr., Theo Wease Jr., Tahj Washington and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, if he’s not a healthy inactive, along with tight ends Greg Dulcich and Julian Hill.
Dolphins safety Minkah Fitzpatrick was already ruled out Friday with his calf injury. Miami players questionable Sunday are center Aaron Brewer (neck), right tackle Austin Jackson (back/groin), outside linebacker Chop Robinson (concussion protocol), linebacker Jordyn Brooks (hamstring) and outside linebacker Quinton Bell (illness).
