Contrary to what Tyreek Hill once said, even cheetahs can get hurt.
The Miami Dolphins wide receiver sat out practice all week after injuring his ankle in a Monday Night Football loss to the Tennessee Titans. Some optimism remained that he could suit up depending on how he felt during pre-game warmups, but the Dolphins won’t have their star playmaker in Week 15.
Miami officially ruled out Hill for Sunday’s game against the New York Jets. The Dolphins’ secondary is also short-handed, with Xavien Howard, Jevon Holland, and DeShon Elliott all inactive.
Inactives for #NYJvsMIA. pic.twitter.com/d9qWt1TQie
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) December 17, 2023
However, running backs Raheem Mostert and De’Von Achane are both active despite spending Friday as limited practice participants. Star offensive lineman Terron Armstead will also play.
This is the first time Tua Tagovailoa will play without Hill since Miami acquired the dynamic receiver from the Kansas City Chiefs. The league’s top-ranked offense won’t be the same without the four-time All-Pro, but they still possess plenty of speedsters in Mostert, Achane, and Jaylen Waddle.
Braxton Berrios could also see an expanded role against his former team. He didn’t tally any of this season’s 22 catches in Miami’s Black Friday victory over the Jets.
Without Achane, the Dolphins ran for 167 yards and two touchdowns against the Jets in Week 12. Another ground-heavy attack seems likely without Hill, who will have a tougher time catching Calvin Johnson’s single-single receiving record.
The Dolphins opened as 12-point favorites, but the spread has withered to seven. Losing Hill could leave Miami more susceptible to a home upset, especially if Jets quarterback Zach Wilson replicates last week’s success.
Sunday’s AFC East showdown starts at 1 p.m. ET at Hard Rock Stadium.