The Dolphins hope Willis (abdomen) will return this year but haven't ruled out season-ending surgery, Joe Schad of The Palm Beach Post reports.
With that in mind, coach Jeff Hafley noted that Willis had an MRI to assess his core muscle injury, and will continue to explore medical opinions. The team already placed Willis on injured reserve, ruling him out through Week 13. The latest report suggests that it's still unclear whether Willis will miss four games, the rest of the season or something in between. Kyle McCord is taking over at QB for the Dolphins in the meantime, with Hafley on Wednesday noting of Willis' job security in general, "he'll be the starting quarterback if he returns."
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Dolphins' Malik Willis: Expected back this season
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Though Dolphins coach Jeff Hafley said Wednesday that he doesn't have a timetable for the potential return of Willis (abdomen), he does expect the QB back at some point this season, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reports.
What is known is that the earliest Willis is eligible to be activated from IR is ahead of Miami's Week 14 game against the Bears. Of course, with the team's record at this stage standing at 1-7, there's no compelling reason to rush Willis back. In his absence, Kyle McCord is next in line for QB1 duties, with Brady Cook a candidate to be summoned from the practice squad leading up to this weekend's game against the Colts.
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Dolphins' Malik Willis: Move to IR official
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The Dolphins placed Willis (core) on injured reserve Tuesday.
As anticipated, Miami elected to move Willis to IR after an MRI on Monday revealed that his lingering groin issue and developed into a more concerning core-muscle injury that would require some time off. Willis is expected to treat the injury with a regimen of rest and rehab, leaving the Dolphins optimistic that he'll be able to return to action before the end of the season. With his move to IR keeping him sidelined for at least the next four games, however, the Dolphins will move forward with second-year player Kyle McCord as their new starting quarterback in the interim.
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Dolphins' Malik Willis: Headed for IR with core-muscle injury
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The Dolphins are expected to place Willis on injured reserve after an MRI on Monday revealed a core-muscle injury, Tom Pelissero of Netflix reports.
Per Marcel Louis-Jacques of ESPN.com, Willis had been battling a groin injury and received regular treatment over the past two weeks, and while the issue hadn't affected his availability for practices, it impacted his mobility in games. With the MRI revealing that the groin concern has morphed into a core-muscle injury, the Dolphins will opt to shut him down through at least Week 14, but the team expects him to return before the end of the season. Kyle McCord will step in for Willis as the Dolphins' new starting quarterback beginning with Sunday's game at Indianapolis.
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Dolphins' Malik Willis: Pedestrian numbers in Week 9 loss
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Willis completed 13 of 25 passes for 128 yards with no touchdowns and one interception and added two rushes for seven yards in the Dolphins' 19-9 loss to the Lions on Sunday.
Willis was back under 200 passing yards for the first time in three games, and he failed to throw at least one touchdown pass for the first time since Week 4. The 2022 third-round pick connected with seven different targets overall, and following the game, Joe Schad of the Palm Beach Post reported that Willis was dealing with both groin tightness and a tight hamstring during the game. Willis and the Dolphins' Week 10 matchup is a Colts team that could trade away multiple key players before Tuesday's deadline.
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Dolphins' Malik Willis: Sleeper QBs
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Willis has scored at least 18.6 Fantasy points in each of his past three games against Cincinnati, the Jets and New England, and now he gets the best matchup of the week against the Lions, who are No. 1 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing quarterbacks. Every quarterback to face Detroit has scored at least 20.9 Fantasy points, and every one has thrown for at least two touchdowns. Willis has top-10 upside in all leagues in Week 9.
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Dolphins' Malik Willis: Week 9 Waiver Priority List
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Willis is heading into a nice stretch of games starting in Week 9 against Detroit, and he's worth using as a low-end starter in all leagues. Over his next four games, Willis faces the Lions, Colts, Bills and Jets, and he should have the chance for some productive performances in those matchups. He has scored at least 18.6 Fantasy points in three games in a row, and Willis is worth adding for up to 5 percent of your remaining FAAB.
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Dolphins' Malik Willis: Week 8 Waiver Priority List
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Willis doesn't have an easy matchup in Week 8 against New England, but he's playing well coming into this game. He has scored at least 20.9 Fantasy points in each of his past two games against Cincinnati and the Jets, and hopefully, he'll stay hot against the Patriots. He finally had his full receiving corps healthy against the Jets with Caleb Douglas joining Malik Washington and Chris Bell, and Willis has run for 110 yards and two touchdowns in his past two outings. I would use Willis as a low-end starter in deeper leagues, and he should be added for up to 5 percent of your remaining FAAB. He also gets Detroit, Indianapolis, Buffalo and the Jets in his four games after Week 8.
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Dolphins' Malik Willis: Three total TDs in Week 7 win
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Willis completed 14 of 21 passes for 208 yards and two touchdowns while rushing six times for 39 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 28-25 win over the Jets.
Willis gave the Dolphins their first lead of the season with a seven-yard touchdown pass to Caleb Douglas on the opening drive. After the Jets tied the game on the ensuing possession, Miami reclaimed the lead with a one-yard Ollie Gordon touchdown run, and Willis extended the advantage to 14 points with a two-yard touchdown run in the waning seconds of the first half. Miami's offense stalled for most of the second half until Willis found Douglas for a 63-yard catch and run to take a 28-17 lead with 4:44 remaining in the fourth quarter. The Jets scored on their next drive, but Willis sealed his first win as Miami's QB with a successful fourth-down QB sneak to pick up a first down and set up victory formation. Up next for Willis and the 1-5 Dolphins is a Week 8 home game against the Patriots.
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Dolphins' Malik Willis: Opens week with full practice
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Willis was a full participant in Wednesday's practice after being listed on the Dolphins' injury report with a right thumb issue, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.
Willis wasn't spotted throwing in an informal practice during the Dolphins' Week 6 bye due to an unspecified reason, but the thumb issue provides an explanation. After a week off to rest and recover, Willis kicked off Week 7 prep with no limitations and will be ready to start in Sunday's game against the Jets.
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Dolphins' Malik Willis: Ready to go after minor injury
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Head coach Jeff Hafley said that Willis should be ready to play Sunday against the Jets after tending to a minor undisclosed injury coming out of the Dolphins' Week 5 loss to the Bengals, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports. "I foresee him being good to go," Hafley said.
In the 31-24 loss to Cincinnati, Willis played every snap and completed 15 of 27 passes for 137 yards and one touchdown to go with 74 yards on eight carries, but he committed three turnovers (two interceptions, one lost fumble). Though he didn't appear to be bothered by an injury during the game, Willis wasn't spotted throwing during the Dolphins' lone unofficial practice during their Week 6 bye, which raised questions about his health. With the extra time to recuperate, Willis seems to have bounced back fine from whatever physical concern he was dealing with, and the expectation is that he'll face no limitations in practice this week as the Dolphins prepare for a road matchup with the 2-4 Jets.
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Dolphins' Malik Willis: Stifled by Vikes in Week 4 loss
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Willis completed nine of 17 passes for 85 yards in Sunday's 15-10 loss to the Vikings. He added 11 yards on two carries and lost a fumble.
It was a miserable day for the Miami passing game against Brian Flores' defense, as Willis wasn't able to find receivers downfield -- his longest completion went for just 17 yards to Malik Washington -- or escape the pocket to do damage with his legs. Willis has produced just two TDs (one through the air, one on the ground) through four starts against four turnovers (two INTs and two lost fumbles) while completing just 56.3 percent of his passes, but there's been no suggestion the 0-4 Dolphins will make a switch at QB ahead of a Week 5 home tilt against the Bengals.
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Dolphins' Malik Willis: Struggles again as team drops to 0-3
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Willis completed 20 of 36 passes for 210 yards, no touchdowns and one interception in Sunday's 24-10 loss to the Chiefs. He also rushed nine times for 56 yards and lost a fumble.
Willis led the team in rushing yards in a game starting running back De'Von Achane (knee) left in the first quarter. Achane could be facing a lengthy absence, which would further deplete a Dolphins offense that already lacks playmakers and entered Sunday's loss without wide receiver Caleb Douglas (ankle) and backup running back Jaylen Wright (foot). Willis has yet to exceed 220 passing yards or produce a multi-touchdown performance for the Dolphins, though he has rushed for at least 39 yards twice in three games ahead of a Week 4 road game at Minnesota.
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Dolphins' Malik Willis: Logs one appearance in preseason
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Willis made just one appearance during the Dolphins' three-game preseason slate.
Willis started the team's exhibition opener at Washington on Aug. 14, leading a 14-play drive that culminated in a De'Von Achane one-yard TD run. During the possession, Willis was a crisp 4-for-5 passing for 43 yards and also had two carries for nine yards. He parlayed a successful two-year stint as Jordan Love's backup in Green Bay into a three-year, $67.5 million contract this offseason, and while Willis' brief game action last month was encouraging, outside of top RB Achane, Miami doesn't boast much in terms of skill-position talent, as Malik Washington will be the No. 1 WR to begin the 2026 season.
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Dolphins' Malik Willis: Idle for Saturday's preseason game
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Willis is not in uniform for Saturday's preseason game against the Giants, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.
Willis played in the Dolphins' preseason opener against the Commanders on Friday, Aug. 14, when he completed four of five passes for 43 yards while adding two carries for nine yards. He'll observe Saturday's exhibition contest in street clothes. If Quinn Ewers (groin) doesn't play, the Dolphins figure to roll with Cam Miller and Mark Gronowski at quarterback.
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Dolphins' Malik Willis: Taking well to new offense
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Willis has shown increased comfort with offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik's concepts during the first two weeks of training camp and has been stacking up positive performances during practices, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.
After joining the Dolphins in March on a three-year, $67.5 million deal, the fifth-year quarterback is heading into his first season as a full-time NFL starter. Willis has limited his mistakes and has been able to build chemistry with a mostly unproven receiving corps during OTAs, minicamp and now training camp, but the 27-year-old will get his first real test this week. He's set to receive extended reps against the Commanders defense in a joint practice Wednesday, and he could be in line to play a few drives against them in the preseason opener two days later.
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Dolphins' Malik Willis: Looks sharp early in camp
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Willis has played well at training camp, earning praise from coach Jeff Hafley and offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik, according to David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel.
The report notes that Willis didn't do much running or scrambling during OTAs, but that's apparently changed some at training camp, with the offense incorporating designed QB runs. The extent to which those are part of the offense will go a long way toward determining Willis' fantasy value, though the Dolphins unsurprisingly want him to focus on the passing game and getting the ball out quickly this summer. It sounds like the team is pleased with what they've seen so far, with Willis displaying good chemistry with his no-name group of pass catchers.
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Dolphins' Malik Willis: Chemistry with WRs not there yet
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Dolphins head coach Jeff Halfley said Tuesday at the start of mandatory minicamp that Willis building a rapport with his new pass-catching corps is "a work in progress," David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.
When Willis signed his three-year, $67.5 million deal in March, Miami still had an established No. 1 receiver in Jaylen Waddle, who has since been traded to Denver. As a result, the Dolphins now enter the summer with a far less proven receiving corps headlined by Malik Washington, Jalen Tolbert, Tutu Atwell and TE Greg Dulcich, while rookies Caleb Douglas (undisclosed), Chris Bell (ACL) and Kevin Coleman continue to compete for roles. Another factor in Willis' uneven start to OTAs and minicamp has been the absence of De'Von Achane (shoulder), arguably Miami's most dynamic pass catcher, as Achane has been limited to individual drills while recovering from an offseason procedure. OC Bobby Slowik suggested Thursday developing chemistry with the team's receivers will "probably be an ongoing process all the way up to the regular-season start." Much of Willis' fantasy appeal stems from his dual-threat ability, but it would still be encouraging to see the passing game gain traction once training camp begins in July.
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Packers' Malik Willis: Plays well in relief
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Willis completed 30 of 35 passes (85.7 percent) for 422 yards and three touchdowns while logging 22 carries for 123 yards and two scores across four regular-season games (one start) for the Packers in 2025.
Willis was thrust into a starting role in Week 17 against the Ravens after Jordan Love suffered a concussion during the Packers' Week 16 overtime loss to the Bears. Willis ended up aggravating a right shoulder injury during the fourth quarter against Baltimore and was replaced by Clayton Tune, and that game ended up being the former's last appearance of the 2025 season. Willis was cast away by the Titans in August of 2024 in favor of Will Levis, but the former has played well in his two years as the Packers' backup behind Love. Willis enters the offseason as an unrestricted free agent, and while his familiarity with the Packers' offense could sway him to stay in Green Bay, the 2022 third-rounder will have the opportunity to explore his options and sign with a team who can provide a clearer path to winning the starting quarterback job.
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Packers' Malik Willis: Questionable for wild-card game
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Green Bay lists Willis (shoulder/hamstring) as questionable for Saturday's wild-card game in Chicago, Wes Hodkiewicz of the Packers' official site reports.
Though Willis was inactive for the Packers' Week 18 loss to the Vikings due to the injuries to his hamstring and throwing shoulder, head coach Matt LaFleur expressed confidence earlier in the week that the fourth-year quarterback would be ready to back up starter Jordan Love in the postseason opener. However, with Willis not advancing beyond limited practice participation throughout the week, his status for Saturday's contest would appear to be more uncertain than initially expected. In the event Willis isn't available to play against the Bears, the Packers would turn to the newly-signed Desmond Ridder to serve as Love's backup.
