In July, Darren Waller was traded from New York Giants to Miami Dolphins, who was not on the way.
Three months later and four weeks from the 2025 period, Waller made their dolphins debut and his official return to the NFL games.
For Dolphins, the wait was worth it, with Waller drew in two contact surfaces and secured Miami’s first win of the season, a 27-21 victory over New York Jets on Monday night, with a recovery on site.
“There is a lot to work out,” said Waller, who had three receptions in 27 meters. “This is exciting, very exciting, just to be out there, just all day. A little fear, a little bit of everything, you know?
That investment helped more powerful in the dolphins and won its first game of the season.
Probably a surprise development for many was not all that stunning for new head coach Mike McDaniel, Wallers.
“You don’t put in a play or let players play with hope for everything but their best,” McDaniel said. “I knew he was perfectly capable. I just didn’t want to overcome it.”
Waller, Pro Bowler 2020 with Las Vegas Raiders, played his first game since January 7, 2024 with Giants. Since coming to Fins, Waller had been standard in the injury report with a hip disease where the team adapted to him slowly when he returned.
One game in, at least, the process went glorious.
“Whenever you get the ball in your hands and you score twice, it shows us that you are a viable option for us or you could be a viable option for us,” said Dolphins team manager Tua Tagovailoa. “This first touch, I don’t remember the last time I’ve thrown the ball to flow near the goal post and someone grabs him like that. It’s such a guy we have in Darren Waller.”