As Dolphins’ offense looks to rebound, Tyreek Hill sidelined by hip injury
Through seven games, the Dolphins’ offense ranks first in a host of categories, including points, rushing yards and passing yards.
But the unit is looking to rebound after a season-worst performance in the team’s 31-17 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
The offense could be attempting to do so without a key member of the group, though.
Wide receiver Tyreek Hill, who leads the NFL with 902 receiving yards and is on pace for the NFL’s first 2,000-yard season, did not practice because of a hip injury.
It’s the first time Hill has missed practice this season due to injury. He was limited for one day in Week 3 because of an ankle injury but was not given a game status and played against the Denver Broncos.
“I don’t think anyone can emulate what Tyreek does on the field,” quarterback Tua Tagovailoa said after practice Wednesday. “His speed, his cuts in and out of breaks. I don’t there’s anyone that can emulate him. He’s in his own league. He’s one of a kind. But needless to say, I think people forget about the things Jaylen Waddle can do, the things that he already has done for our team since his rookie year. And there’s a lot of other guys that I think you can’t sleep on.
He added: “If we couldn’t have Tyreek, that would be tough. But the show goes on. You’ve got to continue to play. And somewhere down the line, we’re going to get Tyreek back. And it has to be one of those things where you never lift your foot off the gas and you don’t lose that rhythm as a team or as a unit.”
Hill has played in every game since joining the Dolphins before the 2022 season. He last missed a game in Week 17 of the 2020 season as a member of the Kansas City Chiefs.
Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel spoke to reporters before practice Wednesday and will next speak on Friday.
If Hill is sidelined, he will be the latest offensive starter to miss time because of injury. In recent weeks, the team has played without left tackle Terron Armstead, center Connor Williams and rookie running back De’Von Achane.
Running back Raheem Mostert (ankle) and fullback Alec Ingold (foot) also did not practice Wednesday.
And the offense will be without left guard Isaiah Wynn, who was placed on injured reserve on Tuesday because of a quad injury. McDaniel said Wynn faces a “long journey” to return to the field but would not rule him out for the remainder of the season.
All of this makes Sunday’s matchup against the New England Patriots’ defense more notable. New England has been one of the few teams to limit Miami’s offense, holding the unit to 24 points, its third-lowest total of the season.
Tua reacts to Hard Knocks
The NFL on Monday announced the Dolphins will be the featured “Hard Knocks” in-season team.
When asked his thoughts on the team being featured, Tagovailoa gave an unenthusiastic response.
After pausing for several seconds, Tagovailoa said: “I have no control over that. That was probably necessarily not the best body language I’ve had in a team meeting as it was being introduced to us that we were going to be on Hard Knocks.”
Tagovailoa previously declined an opportunity to be featured on Netflix’s “Quarterback” series, citing privacy.
“I’m just not a big attention guy,” he said. “I understand it comes with the territory and I am able to use my platform for bigger things. But as far as me doing something silly, purposefully, outside of football, it’s just different for me. I like to keep things private in how I do things. But this isn’t just about me. This isn’t something that’s for me. This is something for the entire team and the entire team has to figure out how they go about that as well. So I know having conversations with some guys in the locker room that for them, it’s going to be tough as well. So we’re all going to work through this together.”
