MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill dislocated his left knee during Monday night’s 27-21 win over the New York Jets and was to remain hospitalized overnight while undergoing further testing, according to coach Mike McDaniel.
The Dolphins expect to learn more details Tuesday, but it is expected that Hill’s injury is season-ending.
In an interview with WSVN 7News, Hill’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, said he accompanied the star receiver to the hospital, where he was undergoing an MRI and CT scan to determine the extent of the damage.
“Are there any torn ligaments, is there torn cartilage, are there any broken bones, to check on the blood flow, any, God forbid, nerve damage?” Rosenhaus said. “All of this is getting checked out.
“We don’t know the extent of the injury. Doctors have told me he dislocated his knee, which I think was apparent for everyone who watched the horrific play. But what that means, and the extent of the damage, and whether he’ll need surgery, to what extent, all of that we should find out within the next couple hours.”
The injury happened early in the third quarter, when Hill caught a 10-yard pass from quarterback Tua Tagovailoa on third down. Hill’s left leg was twisted under him as he was tackled out of bounds.
An air cast was placed on Hill’s leg. As teammates crowded around him, Hill remained upbeat, smiling and waving to the crowd as he was driven away on a cart.
“He was probably in the best spirits of any player that I’ve ever seen [have] such a terrible experience,” McDaniel said. “He immediately had wide eyes and was talking, ‘I’m good, just make sure the guys get this win.’ He was focused on the team.”
The Dolphins responded with two consecutive touchdown drives, and McDaniel believes Hill’s attitude was a critical reason.
“I think it’s giant,” McDaniel said. “I saw him make eye contact and rip a joke or two to [Jaylen] Waddle and De’Von [Achane], and I think a lot of guys got back into the game, provoked by what he said verbally. We talked a lot about all the stuff that Tyreek has done this offseason, and a big portion is leading by example and connecting with his teammates, and he kind of utilized that connectivity to make sure that his team was finishing on the right end.
“He was inspiring in that situation, and I think his teammates benefited from that.”
Hill, who entered Monday’s game leading the Dolphins with 198 receiving yards, has missed just one game, during the 2023 campaign, in his four seasons in Miami. He was off to a strong start Monday night with 67 receiving yards on six catches.
Hill, 31, didn’t participate in team drills during spring practices and missed three weeks of training camp, including all four joint practices. McDaniel said Hill’s absence in practice this summer helped the team develop an identity without him.
“I thought that, in years past, when he’d be out for a day or two or something would come up, we didn’t have the same competitive spirit,” McDaniel said. “I thought this offseason, we were able to develop that practicing joints and doing all that. So that’s productive. It should be helpful for the guys so they’re not going in uncharted territory.”
With Hill expected to miss significant time, Waddle becomes the Dolphins’ de facto No. 1 receiver — but the team will need someone to step into Waddle’s former role. Second-year receiver Malik Washington is the prime candidate after operating as the Dolphins’ primary target at times in training camp.
The Dolphins could also utilize non-wideouts for production in the passing game. Tight end Darren Waller made his season debut Monday and caught two touchdown passes, and running back Achane leads all NFL running backs in receptions and receiving yards since the start of last season.
“I feel like there will be a lot of guys in the receiver room that will have more opportunities to make plays. I have faith in them, especially from what I’ve seen over camp and the first few weeks,” Waller said. “Football is a game and a business where you got to move forward.
“There is no replacing [Hill], but I feel like we got guys that can get the job done.”
