Tyreek Hill Shocks Dolphins After Surgery
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – Miami Dolphins players received an unexpected visit during Friday’s meeting: wide receiver Tyreek Hill. Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel revealed that Hill attended the meeting three days after undergoing surgery that ended his season due to a dislocated left knee. Hill had been hospitalized since suffering the injury in Monday night’s victory against the New York Jets, but was able to return to the facilities to offer words of encouragement to his teammates.The Dolphins are facing relatively uncharted territory starting with this week’s game against the Carolina Panthers. Since they signed Hill in 2022, they have only played one game without him: a 30-0 victory over the Jets in 2023. Wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, who signed a three-year, $84.75 million extension in May 2024, assumes the role of the team’s primary receiver. However, McDaniel stated that Miami has always viewed Waddle as a No. 1 receiver, and Waddle considers the concept to be more of a media creation than an actual role.Tyreek was in the building today. He entered the team meeting and made sure the guys stayed motivated to have complementary football with 11 players playing as one in all three phases during the game.
Mike McDaniel
Since entering the league in 2021, Waddle ranks 15th in receiving yards and 10th in yards per reception. His seven receptions of 50 or more yards are tied for eighth in that same period. Miami will also look for increased involvement in the passing game from 2024 sixth-round pick Malik Washington, as well as tight end Darren Waller, who caught two touchdown passes in his debut last week. McDaniel indicated that Waller is likely not yet at a full workload after playing 16 of Miami’s 58 offensive plays in Week 4, but that he has “earned” more plays against the Panthers. The Dolphins coach also expressed that he does not expect to overcompensate for Hill’s absence.We never look at it as receiver 1, or 1A-1B. I think that’s more like something from the media or something that gives them something to talk about. We all go out there, make plays, and just try to help our team win. It’s not a receiver 1, receiver 2, that type of thing. It’s about being able to go out there and contribute and help your team get a win.
Jaylen Waddle
“Where there is adversity, there is opportunity, I think that’s our speed,” McDaniel concluded.I think we have a lot of capable football players that I trust a lot. I think when you lose players of that magnitude, it’s never done with a single human being. It’s the execution of the overall group in all positions that makes the difference. And I have a lot of motivated football players.
Mike McDaniel
