Jaylen Waddle injury update: Latest on Dolphins WR's status for Week 16 Fantasy Football

The Miami Dolphins are wrestling with a critical injury after Jaylen Waddle's knee issue during Week 15's 20-12 loss to the Houston Texans. Fantasy football managers are on high alert, tracking his potential availability for the pivotal matchup against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.

Waddle went down when a defender fell on his lower leg. He was pulled out after playing just 38% of the team's offensive snaps. Both of his targeted passes were incomplete, adding to the Dolphins' offensive struggles.

Miami coach Mike McDaniel offered a cautiously optimistic update about Waddle's condition. His comments provide a ray of hope for both the team and fantasy football strategists desperate for good news.

"Not major. Not surgery. But in question for this week. Day to day," McDaniel said on Tuesday, via the Palm Beach Post.

NFL: Miami Dolphins at Houston Texans - Source: Imagn

The wide receiver's status remains a mystery. Waddle won't practice Wednesday, leaving his Week 16 participation against the 49ers hanging in the balance.

Jaylen Waddle fantasy football implications

NFL: New York Jets at Miami Dolphins - Source: Imagn

The Dolphins' playoff chances are razor-thin. They are 6-8, two games behind the LA Chargers for the final AFC wild card spot. With just three games remaining, every player's availability becomes crucial.

If Jaylen Waddle sits out, Malik Washington would likely expand his role alongside Tyreek Hill. The team faces potentially winnable games against the 49ers, Cleveland Browns and New York Jets.

Miami's offensive struggles complicate matters further. Tua Tagovailoa's recent four-turnover performance highlighted the team's ongoing challenges. His game included a fumble, which set up a Houston touchdown and two critical interceptions.

Even with Waddle and Hill in the lineup, the Dolphins have struggled to generate explosive plays. The offense has become more short-pass oriented, with tight end Jonnu Smith emerging as a key weapon.

Fantasy managers should watch practice reports closely. Limited participation could signal a game-time decision. The injury mechanism suggests a ligament strain, but not a season-ending tear.

The Dolphins face a delicate balance. They must weigh Waddle's health against their mathematical — although improbable — playoff hopes. His potential absence could further derail an already struggling offensive unit.