How worried about Tyreek Hill’s injury should the Dolphins be?
Tyreek Hill is well known for his saying, “Cheetah’s don’t get hurt,” but this week could put the theory—or mantra—to the test as the NFL’s leading receiver in terms of receiving yards missed his second practice of the 2023 campaign.
Hill was probably being rested during Miami’s first of three practices leading up to Sunday’s road game against the Washington Commanders. Hill injured his ankle early in Miami’s 34-13 victory over the New York Jets, but he still played and finished with 102 yards and one touchdown on nine receptions.
Hill’s degree of involvement If the eight-year veteran and six-time Pro Bowl selection plays on Sunday, it will be more clear on Thursday.
Hill concentrated on two thousand yards
With consistent production, Hill hopes to break the record set by Hall of Fame receiver Calvin Johnson, who amassed 1,964 yards on 122 receptions in the 2012 Detroit Lions season. Johnson is the first receiver in NFL history to reach 2,000 yards.
Hill is expected to gain 2,046 receiving yards, and losing one of Miami’s 17 games in the regular season could cause that to change.
However, in order to save his starters for “elimination games” in the fourth quarter of the season, head coach Mike McDaniel has always adopted a cautious stance when it comes to player injuries. Choosing to sit Hill in a match against a Commanders squad that is having defensive difficulties could be considered a cautious move.
McDaniel, though, probably realized that would shackle the NFL’s best offense.
As the eighth player of the season, Hill broke the 1,000-yard receiving mark this season, making history as the first player to do so since 1961. Only four NFL players have ever finished with more than 1,300 receiving yards in the season’s first 11 games, including him.
Hill leads the receiver rankings.
His 88 catches are second, behind Los Angeles Chargers receiver Keenan Allen, who has 97, which he’s converted into 1,117 yards and seven touchdowns. Allen’s 1,324 receiving yards and 10 touchdown receptions lead the NFL.
Miami would probably have to make Jaylen Waddle the centerpiece of the passing game if Hill is forced to miss Sunday’s game. It would be Hill’s first absence since the 2021 campaign. In the 10 games this season, Waddle has gained 691 yards and three touchdowns on the 52 receptions he has hauled down.
In the passing game, Braxton Berrios, River Cracraft, and Cedrick Wilson Jr. would probably also inherit bigger roles.
Miami may also use Robbie Chosen, their second-most experienced receiver, who has been in and out of the 53-man roster all season, and Chase Claypool, who is recovering from a knee procedure he underwent during the bye week. However, the Commanders’ strategy and each player’s practice performance will probably determine roles and playing time.
