Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle had high expectations this season. The former Alabama star has been a borderline must-start WR2 for most of his career.
Unfortunately, he has struggled this year. Waddle is the WR44 for the season, averaging 8.1 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. More importantly, the star wide receiver missed last week’s matchup against the San Francisco 49ers.
Is Waddle out for the season? Will he play in Week 17? Let’s dive into it.
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Is Jaylen Waddle Out For The Season?
Waddle missed last week’s win over the 49ers with a knee injury. The star wide receiver suffered the injury in Week 15 against the Houston Texans, leaving the game after playing 38% of the snaps. Unfortunately, he scored zero fantasy points before leaving the contest.
Glazer: Jaylen Waddle (knee) won't play Week 16.
— Underdog NFL (@Underdog__NFL) December 22, 2024
However, Waddle was a limited participant at practice on Thursday. While the team hasn’t declared him ready for Sunday’s matchup against the Cleveland Browns, the star wide receiver isn’t out for the season.
Should I Start Jaylen Waddle In Week 17?
Unfortunately, Waddle is far from a must-start wide receiver. He has an appealing matchup against the Browns. They have surrendered 31.4 fantasy points per game to wide receivers, the third-most in the NFL. Last week, Cleveland gave up 17 receptions for 208 receiving yards, three touchdowns, and 48 fantasy points to the Cincinnati Bengals’ wide receiver core.
Waddle has struggled this year, totaling more than 9.3 fantasy points in only three games. The star wide receiver has had some bizarre fantasy performances. He had a game with two receptions for negative four receiving yards and a touchdown, scoring 6.6 fantasy points.
Jaylen Waddle today:
2 receptions
-4 yards
1 TD pic.twitter.com/ddZzeOcoOE— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) November 3, 2024
Unfortunately, fantasy players shouldn’t trust him this week. Waddle is a high-risk, low-reward WR3 in Week 17 despite the appealing matchup against the Browns. Fantasy players should feel more confident starting Jonnu Smith as a flex option over the former Alabama star wide receiver.
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