Will Darren Waller Play This Week? Latest on Dolphins TE's Injury Return Timeline

Having won three of their last four games, the Miami Dolphins will get another boost on Sunday with the return of Darren Waller.

Per NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, Waller will be activated off injured reserve to play against the New Orleans Saints.

Waller hasn't played since Week 7 due to a pectoral injury. He made his season debut on Sept. 29 against the New York Jets, marking his first appearance in an NFL game since Jan. 7, 2024.

The 33-year-old was a surprise addition to Miami's roster when he was acquired in an offseason trade with the New York Giants. He retired at the end of the 2024 season, but announced his comeback when the deal with the Dolphins came together.

Miami has already received a good return from the trade with how Waller performed in his first four games this season. He caught four touchdowns in his first three games and had 78 yards in a Week 5 loss to the Carolina Panthers.

Even though Waller has only appeared in four games, he still ranks fifth on the Dolphins with 117 receiving yards. Jaylen Waddle is the only player on the roster with more touchdown catches than Waller.

The Dolphins are clinging to life in the AFC playoff race coming out of their bye, but they have shown signs of getting on track recently. They are in the midst of their best stretch of the season, highlighted by a 30-13 win over the Buffalo Bills in Week 10.

Miami (4-7) enters play on Sunday three games behind the Los Angeles Chargers, Jacksonville Jaguars and Buffalo Bills, who currently sit in the final three wild card spots in the AFC.

The schedule does set up for the Dolphins to continue their hot streak if they can take advantage of it. Their next two games are against the Saints and New York Jets, who are a combined 4-18, before taking on the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 15.

Waller's return gives head coach Mike McDaniel another reliable pass-catcher that has been missing since Tyreek Hill's season ended due to a dislocated knee and multiple torn ligaments in Week 4 against the Jets.

The Dolphins will host the Saints at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.