Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel says concern about star receiver Tyreek Hill’s injury status goes beyond Sunday’s game against the New York Jets.
Hill, who leads the NFL with 1,542 receiving yards and 12 touchdown catches, sustained a left ankle injury in Monday night’s loss to the Tennessee Titans.
The Dolphins did not practice on Wednesday, but McDaniel estimated that Hill would not have participated if it had been a normal session.
“He’s such an important part of our team that we’re going to make sure that when he’s on the field, he’s not at risk of further injury to himself,” McDaniel said Thursday, per the Miami Herald.
The Dolphins (9-4) are one game behind the Baltimore Ravens in the race for the AFC’s No. 1 seed and a first-round bye in the playoffs.
Miami could consider keeping Hill on the sidelines against the visiting Jets (5-8), even if it means harming his quest to become the NFL’s first 2,000-yard receiver. Having a healthy Hill for the stretch run and the postseason would almost assuredly outweigh the record chase.
The Dolphins have a grueling schedule after the Jets, hosting the Dallas Cowboys (10-3) in Week 16, visiting the Ravens (10-3) in Week 17 and hosting the Buffalo Bills (7-6) in the Jan. 7 regular season finale.
Hill, 29, is a seven-time Pro Bowl selection and four-time All-Pro with 695 catches for 9,882 yards and 75 touchdowns in 121 games (103 starts) with the Kansas City Chiefs (2016-21) and Dolphins.
–Field Level Media