Tua Tagovailoa’s concussion last night against Buffalo reminded a lot of us about the significance of head injuries and just how serious they are. Fantasy managers in all platforms are now scrambling because of uncertainty. With Tua’s health in doubt, what is Jaylen Waddle’s fantasy football outlook now?
Jaylen Waddle Fantasy Football Outlook After Tua Tagovailoa Injury
First and foremost, it’s hard to even discuss fantasy football when dealing with a serious injury like this. Tua’s health is the biggest priority. However, it’s part of human nature to include this in the reaction. That reaction was on display last night on social media.
Is Jaylen Waddle cooked without Tua Tagovailoa?
— A&J Fantasy Football Podcast🎙️🏈🏆 (@AandJFFPod) September 13, 2024
Looking at stats, Waddle hasn’t had the best numbers in the NFL without Tagovailoa as his quarterback. Prior to last night, he recorded 42 catches for 453 yards in eight games when Tagovailoa hasn’t taken the field. For context, that is an average of 5.25 catches and 56.6 yards per game.
Those numbers aren’t great, and it’s been noted in his fantasy performances without Tagovailoa. Rounding the numbers above to five catches for 57 yards, that’s an average of 10.7 fantasy points in PPR formats. Half PPR formats would see him average 8.2 points while standard leagues see him average 5.7 points per game.
While those numbers aren’t good in any format, let’s dive in to how it affects fantasy managers in redraft and dynasty leagues.
Jaylen Waddle Fantasy Football Redraft Outlook
Redraft leagues have short-term worries about the situation. Miami has a Week 6 bye week, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Dolphins hold him out until at least Week 7. Fantasy managers now have to figure out what to do with Waddle until Tagovailoa possibly returns.
In his career, Skylar Thompson hasn’t thrown for more than 166 yards in a single game. That’s concerning in the short term for Waddle owners who were relying on him to be a consistent WR2 as he’s so often been in his career.
Mike McDaniel mentioned in a press conference that the team is rolling with Thompson as its starting quarterback, but they will sign someone. Ryan Tannehill is the best option on the market, but that doesn’t mean he’s going to be any better for Waddle. Tannehill was a game manager in Tennessee, and his WR2, Corey Davis, never once posted a 1,000-yard season.
Until Tagovailoa comes back (presuming that he does play again), Waddle can’t be trusted in the starting lineup. When Waddle isn’t even posting 50 yards in half of his previous games without Tua, that’s a problem. You can’t justify playing Waddle with this amount of uncertainty at the quarterback position.
Jaylen Waddle Fantasy Football Dynasty Outlook
Those who own Waddle in dynasty leagues have the short-term issues to worry about just like the redraft, but there’s also the future to look at. What if Tua never plays football again? That’s a real possibility as he has to think about his future.
Here is the interview I did this morning on local Miami TV discussing Tua Tagovailoa’s head injury and the tough decisions he has to make. @theinjuryexpertz pic.twitter.com/PAshEapjoh
— Jesse Morse, MD (@DrJesseMorse) September 13, 2024
Just like those in redraft leagues, Waddle is not playable in dynasty formats until Tagovailoa comes back. Where it gets complicated in dynasty leagues is looking into future seasons. Waddle’s whole value as a player is dependent upon good quarterback play. If Tua decides to continue playing football, Miami needs to have a contingency plan in place not named Skylar Thompson.
Dynasty leagues have a slight advantage over redraft leagues in that the benches are usually deeper. There’s more options to choose from until you can start Waddle again. However, it doesn’t guarantee those options will be just as good. They won’t be in most cases which means you’ll have to adjust.
If you haven’t already traded them, hold on to your first-round picks for 2025 and 2026. Even if Tagovailoa does continue to play, you may want to invest those in a rookie wide receiver and grab next’s year Xavier Worthy.
And to answer the question from Twitter at the beginning of the article… yes, Jaylen Waddle is cooked without Tua Tagovailoa as a result of his injury.
Main Photo Courtesy of Jasen Vinlove – Imagn Images
