Miami Dolphins star Tyreek Hill is in danger of missing significant time after suffering a gruesome leg injury on Monday Night Football, but his reaction to the serious setback earned some praise from fans.
Hill’s leg appeared to fracture as he was tackled in the third quarter of his team’s game against the New York Jets. He was tended to be the team’s medical staff and carted off the field, but sent fans a message as he was headed to the locker room.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the “Dolphins say Tyreek Hill has a knee injury. He is being taken to a local hospital for imaging, evaluation and observation.” Schefter added, “Dolphins fear WR Tyreek Hill dislocated his knee, per source. Hill is an ambulance on the way to the hospital to confirm.”
After the game, Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel told reporters, “I know it was a dislocation. He was probably in the best spirits of any player, you know it’s such a terrible experience when you go out and see guys when they have issues like that, but 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. That’s what I know about it, outside of that I’m sure I’ll be giving more information tomorrow.”
The Dolphins followed through for their fallen teammate, defeating their AFC East rivals 27-21 to move to 1-3 on the season.
Tyreek Hill Sends Message to Fans
After he was stabilized and helped into the medical cart, Hill appeared to send a reassuring message to Dolphins fans. Hill smiled and waved toward the crowd, not showing any visible pain despite suffering what appeared to be a broken leg.
The gesture earned some praise from fans, with many players also reaching out to share supportive messages for Hill.
The Dolphins ruled Hill out for the game, though did not yet confirm the diagnosis of a broken leg. While some players have been able to return in a matter of months from leg fractures, these have sometimes been more complicated if they included any tendon injuries.
The Dolphins held a 10-3 lead at the time Hill went down, with both the Dolphins and Jets looking for their first win of the season. Hill was leading the team at the time of his injury with six receptions for 67 yards.
Hill had 15 total receptions for 198 yards this season with four touchdowns. His absence could bring more problems for a Dolphins offense that has struggled through much of this early season, leaving a hole at the top of the wide receiver depth chart.
McDaniel added after the game about the psychological impact that Hill’s reaction to the injury had on his teammates, “I think it’s giant.” He said he saw Hill telling jokes to fellow wide receiver Jaylen Waddle running back De’Von Achane, and encouraging his teammates before he was carted off.
“I think a lot of guys got back into the game, provoked by what he said verbally,” McDaniel said. “We’ve 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. So, he was inspiring in that situation and I think his teammates benefited from that.”
Tyreek Hill’s Injury Could Have Long-Term Impact
While the Dolphins have likely lost their top wide receiver, they also lost a potentially valuable trade piece. With the Dolphins in danger of falling out of playoff contention before the end of the first month, many experts suggested that Hill would be moved at the upcoming NFL trade deadline.
The Athletic’s Jeff Howe consulted 13 team executives about Hill’s potential value, with some noting that the domestic violence allegations against him could dampen any potential return for the Dolphins.
“Six believed the Dolphins could recoup a third-round draft pick, with one executive debating whether they could stretch the compensation to a second-rounder,” Howe wrote. Before the 2024 trade deadline, wide receivers Davante Adams and Amari Cooper were moved for third-round picks.
Howe noted that there were some differing opinions, with some executives suggesting the Dolphins would garner only a Day 3 draft pick for Hill.
“On the other side of the spectrum, three executives thought Hill would only be worth a late-round pick swap because of teams’ reservations over Hill’s off-field concerns. The rest leaned toward Hill being worth a fourth- or fifth-rounder,” Howe wrote.
The Dolphins could look to other trade candidates, though Hill would have made the most logical one due to his age and the immediate boost he could give to a title contender.
Video of Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill’s Reaction After Serious Leg Injury Goes Viral