Dolphins’ Jaylen Waddle, Raheem Mostert inactive for must-win game vs. Bills

The Dolphins’ regular-season finale against the Buffalo Bills was a winner-take-all matchup for the AFC East title, but Miami had to proceed without two of its most dynamic players.

Wide receiver Jaylen Waddle and running back Raheem Mostert were inactive for the game, a 21-14 loss for Miami that dropped the team to the sixth seed.

It’s the second straight missed game for both players, who have ankle injuries. Mostert is also dealing with a knee injury.

Waddle and Mostert were listed as questionable to play and only practiced this week on Friday in a limited capacity. Waddle, who has a high ankle sprain, said after practice that “there’s always a chance” he plays. He added that he felt good and wasn’t feeling pain.

Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said after the game that he was “optimistic” Waddle and Mostert would be able to return to the lineup for the Dolphins’ first-round playoff game against the Chiefs in Kansas City on Saturday night.

Cedrick Wilson Jr., Braxton Berrios, River Cracraft and Chase Claypool all saw an uptick in snaps with Waddle unable to play. Rookie De’Von Achane, who totaled 137 scrimmage yards against Baltimore, led the Dolphins’ backfield again with Mostert sidelined.

McDaniel said Mostert’s absence from the Ravens game was a bit unexpected but that he did not progress as quickly from his recovery as the team expected.

“You have to make an educated guess, with all the information, on whether or not – how much at risk is his play this week going to linger and be a consistent theme for the rest of the season,” McDaniel said Friday.

Safety Jevon Holland, who was to the injury report Saturday because of injuries to his knees, was active but his snaps were limited.

McDaniel said Holland has been battling through his injury and the team wanted to involve him in the game plan without sustaining a setback.

Inside linebacker Jerome Baker, who was activated off injured reserve on Saturday, was also active and played his first game since Dec. 3. Baker missed the last four games with a sprained MCL.

The Dolphins also made the following players inactive: cornerbacks Xavien Howard (foot) and Ethan Bonner, tight end Tyler Kroft, offensive tackle Kion Smith and quarterback Skylar Thompson (emergency QB).