Dolphins' Jaylen Waddle Placed in Concussion Protocol After Injury vs. Patriots

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle is in the concussion protocol after taking a helmet-to-helmet hit during a 24-17 road win over the New England Patriots on Sunday evening.

Head coach Mike McDaniel announced the news during his Monday press conference.

Patriots linebacker Marte Mapu hit Waddle as he tried to corral a pass from quarterback Tua Tagovailoa with just over four-and-a-half minutes left in the game.

Waddle initially stayed on the ground before getting up and walking off on his own power. Staffers then evaluated Waddle in the blue medical tent.

The Dolphins soon announced that Waddle was being "evaluated pursuant to the concussion protocol" before declaring him out for the game.

Mapu was flagged for unnecessary roughness. The Dolphins' drive later ended with a missed field goal, but the Patriots turned the ball over on downs on their next possession to effectively end the game.

Waddle, who caught four passes for 86 yards before exiting, has "already started progressing" through the concussion protocol, per McDaniel.

Losing Waddle for any amount of time would be a huge loss for Miami. The former Alabama star broke out last year with 75 receptions for 1,356 yards and eight touchdowns, a great follow-up to a rookie season when he posted a 104/1,015/8 stat line.

The Dolphins' next game is against the Denver Broncos at home on Sunday.

If Waddle can't play, then River Cracraft and Braxton Berrios should see more snaps and opportunities in his absence. Tyreek Hill figures to remain as the team's top pass-game option.