Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (17) makes a catch against New York Jets cornerback Michael Carter II (30) during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Sept. 29, 2025.

The Miami Dolphins earned their first win of the 2025 NFL season in their "Monday Night Football" win over the New York Jets, but the victory came at a cost.

During the third quarter, star receiver Tyreek Hill was tackled after a 10-yard reception and suffered a gruesome-looking dislocation of his left knee. The 31-year-old was carted off the field in an air cast and taken to the hospital.

Hill also suffered multiple ligament tears as a result of the injury, including one to his ACL. He is set to have surgery Tuesday to repair the injury, which will end his season and throw his status for 2026 into doubt.

The Dolphins will now be tasked with replacing Hill, who led the team in targets (29), catches (21) and receiving yards (265). That could create a significant shift in their offensive philosophy, which could have a ripple effect across fantasy football formats.

Here's a look at the fantasy impact on Miami's top offensive weapons following the Hill injury, as well as some potential replacements Hill's fantasy managers can target on the waiver wire.

Jaylen Waddle fantasy outlook

Waddle figures to see an uptick in opportunities with Hill out of the lineup. Over the first four weeks of the season, the Dolphins' No. 2 receiver posted a modest total of 23 targets, good for just third on the team, while ranking as fantasy football's WR28.

That said, Waddle has been consistent, seeing at least five targets each game. He is in his fifth year with the team and has strong chemistry with QB Tua Tagovailoa dating back to their time together at Alabama. The 26-year-old also has great speed, making him a natural replacement for Hill's field-stretching ability.

All that could make Tagovailoa could look more frequently in Waddle's direction, especially with the fifth-year receiver leading Dolphins receivers in snaps played (183). Expect Waddle to become a weekly WR2 whose game-breaking speed could give him an even higher ceiling.

Darren Waller fantasy outlook

Beyond Waddle, it isn't yet clear which receiver could emerge as one of Tagovailoa's favorite targets. Malik Washington and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine will be the next men up at the position, but Tagovailoa may prefer to look toward his running backs and tight ends first.

That could open the door for Waller to have a big impact. The 33-year-old tight end played his first game since the end of the 2023 NFL season Monday against the Jets. He played just 16 snaps (27.6%) but still managed to make three catches for 27 yards and two touchdowns.

Miami figures to get Waller more involved as he works back into game shape after his one-year retirement. Provided he can stay healthy, the 6-6, 238-pound Waller figures to be a big-time red-zone threat and middle-of-the-field safety valve for Tagovailoa.

Tua loved throwing to tight end Jonnu Smith last season, targeting him 111 times (second-most on the team) and helping Smith finish as fantasy football's No. 4 tight end. Waller may not see the same type of volume, but with Hill out, his target share should increase, especially in the red zone.

De'Von Achane fantasy outlook

As mentioned, Tagovailoa may look to his running backs more as receiving weapons with Hill out. That could raise Achane's ceiling, as he already ranked second on the team in targets (25) and receptions (19) through four weeks.

Achane is also averaging an impressive 4.9 yards per carry while out-touching backup Ollie Gordon 69-20. As long as that split continues, Achane should be a volume-based RB1 every week and a massive asset in PPR leagues.

Tyreek Hill fantasy replacements

Below are some of the top available players fantasy managers can target on the waiver wire to help replace Hill.

Wan'Dale Robinson, New York Giants (Rostered in 49% of Yahoo leagues)

The Dolphins weren't the only team to lose a top-tier wideout to a season-ending injury. Malik Nabers tore his ACL in the Giants' win over the Los Angeles Chargers, which could open the door for Robinson to be New York's top target.

Robinson has averaged a career-high 13.2 yards per reception this season and is already on pace to earn more than 100 targets for the second consecutive year. Consider him a high-floor flex in PPR.

Romeo Doubs, Green Bay Packers (Rostered in 40% of Yahoo leagues)

Doubs is on bye in Week 5, but he has showed strong red-zone chemistry with Jordan Love. The 25-year-old wideout has been targeted six times in that area of the field, tied for fifth-most in the NFL, while generating four receiving touchdowns. Granted, three of those came against the Cowboys' bottom-ranked pass defense, but Doubs should still have flex appeal given his rapport with Love.

Troy Franklin, Denver Broncos (Rostered in 32% of Yahoo leagues)

Franklin is tied with Courtland Sutton for the Broncos' lead in targets. Both receivers have posted 27 through four games, with the most notable difference between the two being Sutton's three touchdowns.

Franklin was teammates with QB Bo Nix at Oregon, so like Love and Doubs, they appear to have good chemistry. Franklin has posted at least four catches and 44 yards in three of his four games, so he should continue to draw flex consideration given his solid target share.

Elic Ayomanor, Tennessee Titans (Rostered in 31% of Yahoo leagues)

Cam Ward seems to like throwing to Ayomanor. The fourth-round rookie has been targeted at least five times in all four of his games and has found the end zone twice despite Tennessee's offensive pitfalls. Expect Ayomanor to continue growing into his role, while his 6-2, 206-pound frame should make him a solid red-zone weapon.

Malik Washington, Miami Dolphins (Rostered in 4% of Yahoo leagues)

Washington figures to gain the most playing time in Miami after Hill's injury. The sixth-round pick in 2024 is a shifty, playmaking threat who has generated 107 total yards on 16 touches (eight catches, eight carries) thus far in 2025.

Washington is only 5-8, 195 pounds. However, if Mike McDaniel continues to find creative ways to get him the ball, the 24-year-old could emerge as a matchup-based flex as the season progresses.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How Tyreek Hill injury impacts Jaylen Waddle, Darren Waller fantasy outlooks

Reporting by Jacob Camenker, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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