Is Jaylen Waddle playing Thursday night? Fantasy injury update for Dolphins-Bengals Thursday Night Football (Updated)

Matt Lutovsky

Is Jaylen Waddle playing Thursday night? Fantasy injury update for Dolphins-Bengals Thursday Night Football (Updated) image

Jaylen Waddle has blossomed into one of the best fantasy WRs in the NFL thanks to his unique combination of big-play ability and high-reception totals. However, with a "questionable" designation hanging over his head prior to Week 4's Thursday Night Football showdown in Cincinnati, the young Dolphins' star is suddenly a worry for his fantasy owners. Knowing the latest injury updates on Waddle (and his QB) will be crucial ahead of your first start 'em, sit 'em decision of the week. 

We'll continue to update this article with news on Waddle up until the official active/inactive report comes out on Thursday around 6:50 p.m. ET.

Is Jaylen Waddle playing Thursday night? 

UPDATE: NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported Thursday morning that Waddle is expected to play Thursday night against Cincinnati.

UPDATE 2: Waddle is officially ACTIVE.

Waddle (groin) was a bit of a surprise add to the final injury report after getting in limited practices on Tuesday and Wednesday, but the Dolphins are clearly playing it safe with their prized receiver. This might be a situation where he would be listed as "probable" if that tag still existed, but as it stands, he's "questionable."

MORE DOLPHINS-BENGALS:
FD Lineup | DK Lineup | Tua update | Start 'em, sit 'em

Waddle showed no ill effects of the groin ailment last week when he hauled in four passes for 102 yards. The big-play specialist has formed a dynamic duo with Tyreek Hill, and he's a must-start every time he takes the field (even if Teddy Bridgewater starts in place of Tua Tagovailoa). The Bengals are allowing the fourth-most fantasy points to WRs, but a lot of that can be chalked up to facing the Steelers, Cowboys, and Jets so far this season. 

WEEK 4 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kicker

If Waddle is a surprise scratch, then Tyreek Hill would absorb more targets. Beyond him, we'd likely see Cedrick Wilson get a chance to make plays. It's tough to recommend starting him despite what we've seen from Miami's passing offense, but he has plenty of DFS appeal. TE Mike Gesicki and maybe even Miami's RBs could also get more looks, but Gesicki is still just a TD-or-bust risk and both Raheem Mostert and Chase Edmonds are low-end flexes.

WEEK 4 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kicker

Matt Lutovsky

Matt Lutovsky Photo

Matt Lutovsky has been a writer and editor for The Sporting News since 2007, primarily writing about fantasy sports, betting, and gaming.