Dolphins tight end admits he feels rusty before Week 1

The Miami Dolphins have a week for their players to get in shape before they travel to play the Indianapolis Colts in Week 1. Tight end Darren Waller is trying to re-adjust to life in the league after retiring in 2024. 

The 32-year-old tight end chose to come out of retirement following his trade from the New York Giants to the Dolphins in July. 

Per Joe Schad of The Palm Beach Post, Waller told reporters he had to get used to the physical, mental and emotional demands of playing football during training camp. 

"Got to knock some rust off, Waller said. "But I'm just grateful to be where I'm at today."

He plans to remove that rust by working with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa to get in rhythm before the season.

"Just getting reps, getting time under tension, knowing how he’s getting the ball off when he hits his drop," Waller said. "What that looks like for me, whip my head around and having that ball come in which I felt like was a great start today. It’s just time, just continuing to grind at it and those things start to become second nature.”

Waller had two seasons with 1,000+ yards receiving in 2019 and 2020 with the Oakland and Las Vegas Raiders, earning a Pro Bowl nomination for the latter. He recorded 53 receptions for 552 yards and a touchdown with the Giants in 2023.

Waller won't be expected to be a 1,000+ yard pass-catcher in 2025, but he can still be a threat to opposing defenses with Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle on the field. 

One of the questions about the Dolphins offense during training camp was their lack of toughness during joint practices against the Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions. Once the rust comes off, Waller should bring an edge as a physical tight end.