Dolphins finalize expected Week 1 elevations — but it’s the move they didn’t make that stands out most

The Dolphins endured a reported "setback" with tight end Darren Waller this week, which has cost him an opportunity to debut with his new team amid a return from retirement in Week 1. But the question for Miami, with both the need to elevate a kicker and the knowledge that Jaylen Wright would be down for this game, would be if the Dolphins would make another move at tight end.

They did not. Instead, they'll roll with only two tight ends active on game day — third-year tight end Julian Hill and fourth-year tight end Tanner Conner. Both tight ends are former undrafted free agents. Hill has been a meaningful snap taker and blocker for the Dolphins, whereas Conner has 70 career snaps on offense across his first three seasons and is a former college wide receiver. Look for fullback Alec Ingold to pick up much of the slack, the Dolphins will need him to play a heavy hand in fulfilling some of the motions and diverse alignments head coach Mike McDaniel seeks to implement.

The Dolphins are betting they can stay healthy in this room for Week 1 before reassessing Waller's status. By not putting him on an injury list, it seems to bode well that Miami expects to see Waller sooner rather than later. They're rolling the dice in Week 1 without him that two very different skillsets and a fullback can give the offense what it needs amid those contributors. And stay healthy in the process.

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