During the third quarter of the Miami Dolphins’ 27-21 Monday Night Football win over the New York Jets on Sept. 29, wide receiver Tyreek Hill suffered a critical injury. He had just caught a 10-yard pass near the right sideline with about 13:23 remaining in the third quarter when he was tackled out of bounds by Malachi Moore. As Moore pulled him down, Hill’s left knee twisted, and his foot appeared to point in an unnatural direction.
Medical staff rushed to his side, and he was carted off the field. Shortly afterward, it was confirmed that Hill had dislocated his knee and sustained multiple ligament tears, including a torn ACL.
What Is the Possible Timeline for Tyreek Hill’s Recovery and Return?
Following the injury, Hill was placed on season-ending injured reserve on Oct. 1. He underwent surgery to repair the torn ACL and other ligament damage. In his first public comments following the surgery, he said, via ESPN:
“When I got tackled, I immediately tried to get up … I’d seen that my leg was crooked. I immediately started laughing because I’ve been able to play this game for 10 years, really my entire life, and I’ve been blessed with great talents and great gifts. The amount of support I get from my family, it’s amazing. So I really wasn’t even thinking about the injury. I was thinking about the great times I’ve had playing this game.”
Given the nature of his injury, dislocation combined with multiple ligament tears, including the ACL, a full recovery will likely span many months.
At this moment, Hill is not officially retiring, as he told podcaster Terron Armstead on Thursday: “At the end of the day, I feel like that decision is based upon how I feel and where my mindset is at the moment. I’m happy with the career that I’ve had. I love playing football. I love it, but it takes a lot. It takes a lot on you mentally, it takes a lot on you physically.”
“I’m at the point now where I need to have a conversation with mom, family, everybody. Wherever my mind is at the time, the decision will be made, but I know right now, I haven’t had time to live in the moment.”
Given his contract with Miami runs through the 2026 season, Hill’s decision will also be influenced by how his rehab goes, how his knee responds, and whether the 31-year-old feels he can still play at his usual level.
Meanwhile, the Dolphins (2-7), currently the 24th-ranked offense on NFL Impact metrics, are preparing for their match against the Buffalo Bills.
Miami Dolphins’ Insights for Week 10
Team: Miami is 2-15 against the Bills when Sean McDermott is the head coach.
QB: Tagovailoa has 11 pass touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 10 career games against the Bills (1-9).
Offense: Miami scored 8 points or fewer with at least three turnovers in three games. The Dolphins OFFi is 24th (70.7, C-) in the league after being second (86.8) in 2023.
Defense: The Dolphins rank 30th with a 65.1 DEFi after having three bottom-three weekly ranks to start the season. Miami will have a different look after the trade deadline.
Fantasy: Game script limited the Chiefs’ rushing attack last week, but Kareem Hunt still managed 49 yards on 11 carries. The Bills entered Week 9, allowing the sixth-most schedule-adjusted fantasy points per game to running backs. Even in a blowout loss, De’Von Achane ran the ball 14 times for 67 yards last week. He’s scored at least 16 fantasy points in all but one game this season.