By EasySportz,James O’donnell

Copyright yardbarker

Miami wideout’s availability key to keeping offense explosive on Thursday Night Football

BUFFALO, N.Y. — If the Miami Dolphins are going to beat the Buffalo Bills under the lights Thursday night, they’ll need Jaylen Waddle at full speed.

The fifth-year wide receiver was cleared to play after managing a shoulder injury suffered in Week 1. Despite taking that hit early in the season, he was not listed on the Week 2 injury report and continued to practice. By midweek ahead of the Bills game, Miami listed him as questionable, but steady progress led to a positive evaluation before kickoff. The green light means he’s available for one of Miami’s biggest early-season tests.

Waddle isn’t just another target in the offense. He’s the player who keeps the system from becoming predictable. With Tyreek Hill already commanding double coverage, Waddle forces defenses to stretch thin. His ability to win one-on-one matchups, separate in tight spaces and turn short routes into long gains makes him the hinge point of Miami’s passing attack. Without him, the Dolphins lose the balance that makes their offense so difficult to defend.

Against a Bills defense known for disguising coverages and generating pressure, Waddle’s role grows even more critical. Buffalo can’t afford to leave him unchecked, which prevents the secondary from keying solely on Hill. That opens lanes for Tua Tagovailoa to find quick completions, keep drives alive and control tempo. In a divisional game on the road, that dynamic is essential.

The matchup could tilt further in Miami’s favor if Buffalo’s cornerbacks are limited. Both Cam Lewis and Taron Johnson entered the night as questionable, raising the possibility of Waddle finding softer coverage spots. If so, expect Miami to test him early with deep routes and in-breaking patterns designed to punish single coverage.

Even if Waddle isn’t fully 100 percent, his presence reshapes how Buffalo has to defend. Screens, slants and quick outs may help minimize contact on his shoulder while still forcing defenders to respect his speed. Every snap he takes keeps the Bills from stacking the box or dialing up blitzes without risk.

This game marks more than just another early-season test. It’s a chance for Miami to assert itself in the AFC East and prove its offense can fire on all cylinders against a division rival. For that to happen, Waddle can’t just be on the field — he has to make plays.

The Dolphins know it: their path to victory runs through Jaylen Waddle. His availability isn’t a luxury. It’s the difference between Miami keeping Buffalo on its heels or struggling to find answers in a hostile environment.