MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — The Miami Dolphins activated tight end Darren Waller from the physically unable to perform (PUP) list Wednesday, finalizing a surprising move that officially brings the former Pro Bowler out of retirement.
Waller, 32, had stepped away from football earlier this year but returned after Miami worked out a trade last month with the New York Giants, who still held his rights.
The Dolphins sent a conditional sixth-round pick in 2026 to THE New York Giants in exchange for Waller and a 2027 seventh-rounder.
The veteran pass-catcher, who was acquired by Miami on July 7, has appeared in 86 career games with 63 starts over eight seasons with Baltimore (2015-16), Oakland/Las Vegas (2018-22) and New York (2023).
He has 350 receptions for 4,124 yards and 20 touchdowns. Waller also started one postseason game for the Raiders and was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2020.
Waller had previously indicated he would only consider returning if it meant playing in Miami.
The Dolphins, who lacked a proven pass-catching tight end after trading Jonnu Smith to the Pittsburgh Steelers, now have officially added a low-risk veteran option with a history of being one of the league’s top offensive weapons when healthy.
Waller joins a tight end room in Miami that includes Tanner Conner, Pharoah Brown and Julian Hill.
The Dolphins will have a joint practice with the Jacksonville Jaguars at the Baptist Health Training Complex on Thursday morning.
It is unclear if Waller will see any action in the scrimmage, but he was spotted at practice Wednesday morning along with linebacker Matthew Judon, who signed a one-year deal worth up to $6 million on Tuesday.
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