Dolphins activate TE Darren Waller, OL Austin Jackson off IR

Field Level Media|published: Sat 29th November, 18:23 2025

Oct 12, 2025; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins tight end Darren Waller (83) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Los Angeles Chargers during the fourth quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Storry-Imagn Images

The Miami Dolphins activated tight end Darren Waller and offensive lineman Austin Jackson off injured reserve on Saturday, one day before a home game against the New Orleans Saints.

Waller (pectoral) and Jackson (toe) are both listed as questionable for Sunday's game.

Miami also waived tight end Hayden Rucci and offensive lineman Kion Smith.

Waller, 33, sustained his injury in Week 7 against the Cleveland Browns. He had 10 receptions for 117 yards and four touchdowns before the injury.

Waller came out of retirement this season to join the Dolphins. Overall, he has 360 receptions for 4,241 yards and 24 touchdowns in 90 games (64 starts) with the Baltimore Ravens (2015-16), Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders (2018-22) and New York Giants (2023). He was a Pro Bowl selection in 2020 when he established career bests of 107 catches, 1,196 receiving yards and nine touchdown receptions.

Jackson, 26, was hurt in Week 1 against the Indianapolis Colts. He has started 55 of 57 games played since reaching the NFL with Miami in 2020. He has started 27 games at right tackle, 15 at left tackle and 13 at left guard.

His 2024 campaign was also cut short, as he played just eight games due to a season-ending knee injury.

Rucci, 24, played in four games for the Dolphins this season and didn't catch a pass. Smith, 27, played 11 games this season and started twice at right guard.

--Field Level Media

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