Cameroon timber
The Dolphins close out their season against two Super Bowl contenders and an AFC East rival that already handed them a loss this season. An ankle injury to star WR Tyreek Hill is now threatening to leave them shorthanded.
Hill went down in the first half of Miami’s “Monday Night Football” game against the Titans on a tackle that created some controversy. He was able to walk off and eventually jog to the sideline, but the MVP candidate was clearly frustrated after going down.
Hill set his sights on the first 2,000-yard receiving season at the start of the year, and that dream was still realistic entering Week 14. Any missed time, even if it’s only a portion of a game, could derail Hill’s hopes of reaching that magic number.
The Dolphins, meanwhile, are just looking to have Hill healthy for what they hope will be a deep playoff run.
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Here are the latest updates on Tyreek Hill’s ankle injury and his status moving forward.
Tyreek Hill injury update Hill appeared to be in significant pain after getting tackled by Titans DB Sean Murphy-Bunting along the sideline early in Monday night’s game. While the broadcast speculated that it was a knee injury for Hill, the Dolphins clarified that Hill was questionable to return with an ankle injury.
Hill was able to limp away and ultimately jog over to the sideline, but he didn’t immediately re-enter the game. The Dolphins heavily taped up his ankle following the play.
Fans here at Hard Rock Stadium chanted MVP as Tyreek Hill walked to sideline after hurting ankle pulled down by Titans CB Sean Murphy Bunting. Hill ran off & hyped crowd up waving his hands when he heard it.
Hill’s famous line: Cheetahs don’t get hurt: pic.twitter.com/TQYIGQZUVz
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) December 12, 2023 Hill returned to the game in the second half, with the score tied at 10.
Despite Hill returning, coach Mike McDaniel said after the game that the Dolphins will have “contingency plans” in place in case the receiver can’t play against the Jets.
Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill is day-to-day with his ankle injury. Mike McDaniel said he’s always confident in Hill but will keep contingency plans until he tells him with certainty he’s good to go.
McDaniel said Hill’s ankle was stiff and in pain during game until he loosened it up.
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) December 12, 2023 The NFL’s leading receiver was visibly frustrated as he left the field, though the lack of a penalty on Murphy-Bunting’s tackle might have been one reason why. Murphy-Bunting’s tackle seemed to be of the horse-collar variety, but officials didn’t have any problem with it.
Hip drop tackle/dead weight/ horse collar on Tyreek Hill.
He looks ok now, but Jesus. NFL would be in for it if he didn’t get up pic.twitter.com/bndrAlqPMK
— Bull Run (@defiisthelife) December 12, 2023 Hill told reporters after the game his return was fueled by “adrenaline” and a text from his wife.
“When it happened, like my first reaction was like, man, my ankle is gone,” he said, according to ESPN. “My adrenaline kicked in, I ran off the field, then I sat for a while and it got stiff and I was going through a lot of pain. Then I just made up in my mind, I came in at halftime, I texted my wife, I was like, ‘This s— hurt.’ I need an ankle massage tonight, and she’s like, ‘You’d better get your ass back in that game, dawg.’ I was like, ‘All right.’
“So I just made up my mind that it’s going to hurt. It’s going to suck. Tonight and tomorrow morning. I just went back in the game on my own, without anybody saying, ‘Reek, go.’ It was like, no, f— this, I’ve got to get out there and bring some energy and be that spark.”
While news that Hill isn’t dealing with any kind of significant knee injury is positive, a lingering ankle injury would be a major cause for concern for Miami.
The Dolphins are fighting for the No. 1 seed in the AFC and have little room for error with games against the Cowboys, Ravens and Bills to close out their season.
The Dolphins host a five-win Jets team next week, though New York’s defense could be a challenge if Hill isn’t 100 percent. Miami’s passing game throughout the first half on Monday night after Hill exited, with few reliable targets for Tua Tagovailoa outside of Jaylen Waddle.
Hill hasn’t missed a game due to injury since 2019.