The Miami Dolphins got their first win of the season on Monday night by toppling the New York Jets 27-21. But, as is often the case with the Dolphins, nothing is ever easy. In getting the division win at home, they also lost their most important player on offense.
Wide receiver Tyreek Hill went down in the third quarter with a gruesome, we-really-don’t-want-to-show-that-again knee injury. Today, Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel addressed the situation.
“Obviously, his season’s done,” McDaniel said. “Our focus is, as a team, is to support him. I think there was some competitive greatness from our doctors, for critical execution in a very timely fashion that did very well for the injury for him. I can’t say enough about that. And as a team, we’re supporting our teammate. And he’s very steadfast on us, as a team, getting ready for the Carolina Panthers. So, that’s kind of where that’s at.”
McDaniel of course didn’t know a recovery timetable, but said that Hill – who is undergoing surgery today – currently won’t require multiple surgeries. The fact that it was even mentioned doesn’t sound too good.
McDaniel hopeful about Tyreek Hill’s surgery
It’s always a bit awkward when a head coach is pressed for injury details on a player. They are only repeating what the doctors tell them and there always seems to come a point where the coach just wants to say, ‘I dunno! Ask them!’
Still, McDaniel did his best.
“It hasn’t been deemed to be anything beyond this surgery and we’re very hopeful for it to turn out well,” McDaniel said. “It’s just executing this procedure and seeing what happens from there.”
McDaniel was quick to point out that the medical staff was impeccable and their response time probably saved Hill from having an even worse injury nightmare.
“The medical care was top-flight when we absolutely needed it,” McDaniel said. “I would say from all the medical knowledge I have, or have been sped up on, that you’re exactly right, that the major things that you want to avoid in something that serious were avoided.”
McDaniel says Tyreek Hill will not be easy to replace
So, the next logical question for McDaniel and the Dolphins is: Now what? Replacing Hill’s skillset will not be easy and you certainly can’t do that with some street free agent. Let’s be honest, there aren’t many people on planet Earth that could replace Hill and what he brings to an NFL football field.
“There’s a lot of guys that contribute on the team,” McDaniel said. “You’re exactly right, you don’t just copy/paste or say, hey, it’s one human being. It’s not that. However, it’s a combination of various individuals — not just in the receivers room — that I think need to continue to develop and now have a heightened sense of urgency so that we can spread the ball around and make up for his production.”
If you’re the Dolphins, would you make a serious move for a wide receiver? If there is any benefit to Hill getting hurt now is that it’s still before the trade deadline. You’re 1-3, is it worth it to make a move when you’re honestly not that good?
Dolphins’ McDaniel Provides Optimistic Update on Tyreek Hill