The Miami Dolphins still don’t know if Tyreek Hill will suit up this weekend.
The star wide receiver suffered an ankle injury during Monday night’s loss to the Tennessee Titans. He sat out Wednesday’s practice.
On Thursday, Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel said he doesn’t want to rush Hill back before he’s fully ready.
“He’s such an important part of our team that we’re going to make sure that when he’s on the field, he’s not at risk of further injury to himself,” McDaniel said, per Daniel Oyefusi of the Miami Herald.
Mike McDaniel on Tyreek Hill’s ankle injury: “He’s such an important part of our team that we’re going to make sure that when he’s on the field, he’s not at risk of further injury to himself.”
— Daniel Oyefusi (@DanielOyefusi) December 14, 2023
Hill has ignited the NFL’s top-rated offense with 97 catches for 1,542 yards and 12 touchdowns this season. The 29-year-old is a fringe MVP candidate pursuing the league’s first 2,000-yard receiving season, but any missed time could derail those goals.
However, Hill and the Dolphins must consider their long-term aspirations. At 9-4 with a two-game AFC East lead over the Buffalo Bills, they’re well positioned to make the playoffs.
Miami would certainly miss Hill against the New York Jets’ second-ranked passing defense. Yet the schedule then gets much tougher when closing the regular season against the Dallas Cowboys, Baltimore Ravens, and Bills.
Hill isn’t the only significant injury plaguing the Dolphins. Along with losing Connor Williams for the season with a torn ACL, Raheem Mostert, De’Von Achane, Terron Armstrong, and Xavien Howard all missed Wednesday’s practice.
Hill’s status remains uncertain ahead of Sunday’s divisional game against the Jets starting at 1 p.m. ET.