The Miami Dolphins are already dealing with multiple injuries, and now their star wide receiver has apparently joined that list. Wideout Tyreek Hill was held out of team drills during Wednesday's joint practice with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers due to a thumb injury.
Hill, initially seen with a removable brace on his right hand during Tuesday's practice, did participate in some portions of Wednesday's practice, according to head coach Mike McDaniel, who added that the team is trying to make sure that Hill does not turn a minor injury into a serious one.
“So he’s been very active but we’re trying to make sure we keep him out of harm’s way,” McDaniel said, via ESPN.
Despite not practicing with the team Wednesday, Hill was spotted in full pads catching the ball without wearing his cast.
Hill led the league in receiving yards last year (1,799), and he was tied with Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Mike Evans for the most receiving touchdowns (13).
There is reason for concern at the position in Miami. Odell Beckham Jr. is on the PUP list with an undisclosed injury and has not practiced during training camp. Jaylen Waddle continues to be sidelined and has missed two weeks of practice with an undisclosed injury and River Cracraft, who is dealing with an upper body injury, is expected to miss some time.
The Dolphins are obviously a better team with Hill out there, but his value increases even more when the other wide receivers are dealing with their own injuires.
In early August, Hill restructured his deal into a three-year contract worth $90 million, $65 million of which was guaranteed money.
Hill, 30, joined the Dolphins in 2022 after spending the first six years of his career with the Kansas City Chiefs, winning a Super Bowl with them after the 2019 season.
Hill's Injury: A Minor Setback
While the injury is not considered serious, the Dolphins are taking a cautious approach with their star receiver. McDaniel has stated that the team is trying to “keep him out of harm’s way” and prevent the injury from worsening.
Hill's absence from team drills is a minor setback, but it highlights the importance of managing player health during training camp. The Dolphins are taking a proactive approach to ensure that Hill is ready for the regular season, which begins on September 8th against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Dolphins' Wide Receiver Depth Tested
Hill’s injury adds to the Dolphins’ growing list of injured wide receivers. Beckham Jr. remains sidelined with an undisclosed injury, and Waddle has missed two weeks of practice. Cracraft has also been sidelined with an upper body injury. The Dolphins have been dealing with injuries to their wide receiver corps for the past two seasons, and this latest development only adds to the concerns.
The Dolphins are clearly a better team with Hill on the field, but his absence is amplified by the injuries to other key receivers. This puts a strain on the team’s depth at the position, and it will be interesting to see how the Dolphins manage this situation moving forward.
Preseason Finale: Evaluating Depth
The Dolphins’ final preseason game against the Buccaneers on Friday will be an opportunity to evaluate their depth at wide receiver. With Hill sidelined, and several other key players likely sitting out, the Dolphins will need to see what they have in their other receivers. This game will also be a chance for the team to assess the performance of their backups and get a better idea of how they will perform in the regular season.
The Dolphins are taking a cautious approach with Hill’s injury, and they are likely to take the same approach with other injured players. The team is prioritizing player health over preseason performance, and this could lead to a lot of starters sitting out the final preseason game. The Dolphins will be hoping that these minor setbacks will not derail their plans for a successful season.
Conclusion: Staying Optimistic
While the Dolphins are dealing with a number of injuries to their receiving corps, the situation is not as dire as it may seem. The team has a strong track record of finding ways to overcome adversity, and they are likely to do so again this year. Hill's injury is a minor setback, but he is expected to be ready for the regular season. The Dolphins are also optimistic about the progress of their other injured players, and they believe that they will be ready to contribute when the season starts.
The Dolphins’ final preseason game against the Buccaneers will be a chance for the team to evaluate their depth and prepare for the regular season. While the team is facing some challenges, they are confident in their ability to overcome them and make a run for the playoffs.
