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Miami Dolphins Darren Waller takes significant step in return to football on Wednesday
Brett Davis-Imagn Images

The Miami Dolphins found, let's say, an interesting solution to their tight end conundrum that reared its head this offseason. With Jonnu Smith seeking a new contract off a career season, and Miami not having the cap space and/or desire to give it to him, they shipped him off to Pittsburgh along with disgruntled star CB Jaley Ramsey in exchange for a reunion with 2018 first round draft pick Minkah Fitzpatrick.

That void at tight end was filled from an unlikely place, as the team signed Darren W aller, who had previously retired before the 2024 season.

Naturally, that put a big question mark at an already iffy position, as the tight end room behind Smith is a who's who of mediocre production. And Waller started off training camp on the physically unable to perform list, which is perhaps not a surprise for someone working to get back into football shape.

But it appears he's getting closer to being in football shape, as the team announced on Wednesday morning that Waller has been activated off the PUP list.

It's not ideal for a player coming in off a year out of football to have a shortened training camp with a new team and a new system, but Waller will at least get some work this week ahead of the Dolphins' preseason finale against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Saturday. Waller is out on the field with his teammates for practice today.

Waller will also get the opportunity to get in a joint practice with the Jaguars on Thursday ahead of the team's weekend tilt.

Waller has big shoes to fill for the Dolphins, as Smith was an integral part of Miami's offense in 2024, setting franchise records for a tight end in catches and receiving yards. But Waller has a strong connection with Dolphins offensive coordinator Frank Smith, who was his tight ends coach with the Raiders, so that could help foster a quick transition to being ready to contribute to start the season.

In his career, he has 350 catches for 4214 yards and 75 touchdowns. He earned Pro Bowl honors in 2020 with 107 catches, 1196 yards, and 9 touchdowns.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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