Tyreek Hill Injury Update: Will Fantasy Managers Have the Dolphins WR for Week 1?

There was an unwelcome surprise for fantasy football managers during the preseason when Miami Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill was held out of practice due to a hand injury. With Hill still not having practiced since his thumb stunted his summer, there is a slight level of concern for fantasy managers as they head into Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season.

Let’s examine the latest updates on Hill’s injury, whether there is any risk of him missing Week 1, and his fantasy outlook for 2024.

What Is the Latest on Tyreek Hill’s Injury?

Fantasy managers shouldn’t worry about Hill’s injury. Head coach Mike McDaniel has consistently told reporters that Hill could practice if he needed to, and Hill even said, “I’m fine. I just needed some days off. I’m healthy.”

As if to prove that point, Hill was back at practice Monday ahead of Week 1. He has continued practicing, and he wasn’t listed on Miami’s injury report on Wednesday.

Tyreek Hill has a message for fantasy manager:

"I'm fine. I just needed some days off. I'm healthy."

— Adam Beasley (@AdamHBeasley) September 2, 2024

Essentially, the Dolphins gave Hill some time to rest because they did not need him practicing until now. Barring a setback, Hill should be fine for Miami’s Week 1 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The Dolphins will likely protect Hill a lot this year in practice, so fantasy managers will need to get used to seeing him on the injury report.

Derek Tate’s Fantasy Outlook for Hill

When your fantasy floor has been the WR2 overall in your first two seasons with a new team, then you know we are seeing something truly special.

Hill has caught 119 passes for 1,700+ yards and scored a minimum of seven receiving TDs in both seasons with the Dolphins. Those are the numbers of an elite producer at the position with an elite fantasy floor that you can take to the bank.

We all know that Hill’s elite speed is revolutionary to the game of football. Yet, you have to wonder what kind of impact losing even half a step would have on Hill’s production.

Look, he has shown absolutely no signs of slowing down whatsoever, but he did turn 30 years old earlier this year. The advanced on-field GPS analytics suggest Hill hasn’t lost a step at all compared to his days with the Kansas City Chiefs. Hill topped out at 22.01 MPH on a long catch and run against the New York Giants last season, showing Hill still has a mind-blowing top speed when he gets the ball in his hands.

However, Father Time remains undefeated. Once a speed receiver loses his speed … the fall from grace can come very quickly. To be clear, I’m not projecting Hill to lose a step this year. He is my overall WR2. I’m simply suggesting that this is worth keeping an eye on entering his ninth year in the NFL.

Hill ranked fifth in the NFL with 683 yards after the catch, which helped him produce 5.6 yards after catch per reception — his highest mark since 2020 when he was with the Chiefs.

Another thing that helps Hill’s fantasy numbers is how creatively Mike McDaniel uses Hill, moving him all over the formation before the snap. Hill lined up in the slot on 37% of his snaps in 2023 and was schemed up for 36 manufactured touches in the screen game and carries out of the backfield. Additionally, Hill’s usage in the red zone last season was also very encouraging with 24 targets, 15 receptions, and four scores.

He is the clear top option in a Miami passing attack crafted perfectly around his dynamic and unique skillset.