Tag: Hill

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) and wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) take the field before the opening game of the season against the New England Patriots at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Sept. 11, 2022.

Tua Tagovailoa: Tyreek Hill rebuilding trust with QB, Dolphins

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Before Tyreek Hill can run a nine route or post pattern, his quarterback and Miami Dolphins’ teammates are eager to cover some other ground.

Tua Tagovailoa said Hill is starting to rebuild relationships left somewhere between fractured and entirely flamed when the 31-year-old wide receiver removed himself from the season finale against the New York Jets, ripped teammates and requested, informally, relocation out of Miami.

“It’s not just with me, it’s with a lot of the guys,” Tagovailoa said. “I’m not the only one that heard that. You guys aren’t the only people that heard that. A lot of people that follow football, that follow the Miami Dolphins, that follow Tyreek that are fans of his — everyone has seen that. So, when you say something like that, you don’t just come back from that with, ‘Hey, my bad.’ You got to work that relationship up, you’ve got to build everything back up again.”

Hill publicly signaled he was changing direction on Tuesday, claiming his perspective changed with a pause in the offseason and vowing to be a “better leader” and the “best version” of himself going forward.

Tagovailoa said he believes the words are more than that this time, describing Hill as more vulnerable and transparent.

“Being vulnerable with some of the things that people know about his personal life and things of that nature. And I think that’s the first step to him,” Tagovailoa said. “Building true relationships and a real connection with a lot of the guys in there.

“Everyone knows what he can do on the field. Everyone respects what he can do on the field, but I think he’s still trying to figure things out for himself as well. … Everybody makes mistakes. … So just got to cut him some grace. I mean, that’s our teammate. We love him, but as a person, if you get to know him, I think you’d love him too.”

–Field Level Media

Jun 10, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) tosses a football as wide receiver Malik Washington (6) looks on during mandatory minicamp at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill focused on being ‘better leader’

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill spent the offseason healing.

“I feel back to being myself. No pain,” Hill said Tuesday, assessing his physical recovering from wrist surgery. “No complaints.”

The 31-year-old led the NFL with 1,799 receiving yards in 2023. But last season was largely a disappointment for Hill, who said his competitive nature got the best of him when the Dolphins shuffled quarterbacks and failed to put a scare — or much of a fight at all — into defenses they way Miami did when Tua Tagovailoa was healthy.

Also fighting through a wrist injury he said was a factor part of the year, Hill ended the season furious and shared a few words he indicated he might like to have back. As a playoff observer, Hill demanded a trade and wondered on multiple occasions and with peak energy whether another team would be better for him.

“I’ve always been a competitor, dog,” Hill said. “In those moments like that, I need to be better as a leader. There’s a ton of little kids that look up to me as a player, as a role model.”

Hill said he spent time being a father and gained a different perspective. He huddled coaches and teammates and is determined to be better in multiple ways in 2025 after he hauled in 81 catches for 959 yards in 2024.

Now he says what the Dolphins are going to get out of Hill this season is his best.

“I told my dad: I want to see what it looks like when I just focus on football, on myself and family,” Hill said. “I feel like I haven’t been giving the best version of Tyreek my whole entire career. I’ve always been trying to be here and be there, but me being able to slow down a little bit, train and bust my tail for myself and then also for this community and this team, I feel like it’ll be worth it.”

–Field Level Media

Jan 5, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) on the field before the game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

No charges filed against Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill after domestic dispute

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Miami Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill and his wife were involved in a domestic dispute on Monday, but no charges were filed, according to reports.

The incident took place at the couple’s condominium in Sunny Isles Beach, located just northeast of Miami.

Hill’s mother-in-law reportedly called police and later told on-scene officers that Hill was aggressive and she feared for her daughter’s safety.

Hill’s wife, Lakeeta Vaccaro Hill, reportedly said couples therapy wasn’t working out and she was in the process of filing for divorce. The divorce filing occurred Tuesday with Vaccaro Hill saying their marriage is irretrievably broken.

Tyreek Hill, 31, told police Monday that he tried to talk to his wife about the therapy and that things escalated after he was told he was not involved enough with their daughter.

On Wednesday, the Dolphins confirmed the incident regarding Hill.

“On Monday, we were informed that the police were called to Tyreek Hill’s home and after conversations with Tyreek and members of his family, the police departed the residence without further incident and the case was closed,” the team said. “We have since been in communication with Tyreek and the NFL and will have no further comment on the matter.”

Hill has been involved in a slew of off-field incidents during his career.

This past season, Hill was pulled from his car during a traffic stop en route to a Dolphins home game in September and police were highly aggressive during the incident after Hill declined to cooperate. The traffic citations were later dismissed.

While he was in college at Oklahoma State, Hill pleaded guilty in 2015 to domestic assault and battery by strangulation after choking his then-pregnant girlfriend. He received three years’ probation.

In 2019 with the Kansas City Chiefs, Hill was suspended by the team for approximately three months following allegations that he had physically abused his son. An NFL investigation determined Hill didn’t violate the league’s personal conduct policy and he was not disciplined.

Hill caught 81 passes for 959 yards and six touchdowns in 17 games in 2024 — marking his lowest production in a full season since his rookie year with Kansas City in 2016. The decline came following a pair of 1,700-yard seasons to begin his tenure in Miami and with Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa limited to 11 games due to concussion and hip injuries.

Before the 2024 season, Hill signed a three-year, $90 million extension through the 2026 season that included a $7 million signing bonus and $59 million in guaranteed money. The eight-time Pro Bowl selection is due to count $28.7 million against the 2025 cap and $51.9 million in the final year of the deal in 2026.

After the 2024 season, Hill initially said he wanted to leave the Dolphins. He later changed his mind and is expected to be with the team in 2025.

Hill has 798 receptions for 11,098 yards and 82 touchdowns in 141 regular-season games.

–Field Level Media

Jan 5, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) on the field before the game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Dolphins expect WR Tyreek Hill back as better leader

Posted on | by Field Level Media

A direct demand from Tyreek Hill to be traded, followed by a mea culpa, opened the door to questions about whether the All-Pro wide receiver and Miami Dolphins were staying together.

Head coach Mike McDaniel dismissed suggestions the Dolphins might part with Hill, who was adamant he wanted out of Miami when the 2024 season ended with the team outside the playoff picture at 8-9. It was the first season in Hill’s nine-year NFL career with the Chiefs and Dolphins that ended without at least one playoff game.

Hill played through a wrist injury and had surgery after the season. He followed up an All-Pro campaign in 2023, when he had 1,799 receiving yards, with 959 in 2024.

McDaniel said he would be fine with Hill coming back — and serving as a captain, if he can prove to teammates he’s dedicated to making sure the Dolphins return to their winning ways.

“I think that’s what Tyreek’s up for … up for the challenge, because Tyreek wants to set the standard of what type of competitors we have,” McDaniel said.

“I think in that scenario, I would be pumped if he was voted captain. Because I think that Tyreek, being accountable for who he is as a competitor and what he’s learned from in his journey, I think that means that his teammates have seen him completely … embraced the whole process of, ‘Hey, I’m a human being. This is wrong. This is right. This is how we want to do things.’”

McDaniel said the Dolphins are encouraged Hill was recently cleared to begin running, but they’ll take their time asking him to do much more than that during offseason workouts.

“We’ll gradually work him into catching the football and going through that process so that at the end of the offseason program, we should be able to get that work that we were unable to this season before,” McDaniel said.

–Field Level Media

Miami Dolphins general manager Chris Grier and head coach Mike McDaniel watch training camp at Baptist Health Training Complex, Friday, July 28, 2023 in Miami Gardens.

Dolphins keeping coach Mike McDaniel, GM Chris Grier for 2025

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Miami Dolphins are keeping coach Mike McDaniel and general manager Chris Grier in their respective positions after a disappointing 8-9 record in 2024.

Hours after Miami lost 32-20 to the New York Jets on Sunday evening, Dolphins owner Stephen Ross made the decision public.

“As we now look towards 2025, our football operation will continue to be led by Chris Grier and Mike McDaniel with my full support,” Ross said in a statement. “Their positive working relationship is an asset to the Dolphins, and I believe in the value of stability.

“However, continuity in leadership is not to be confused with an acceptance that status quo is good enough. We will take a hard look at where we have fallen short and make the necessary changes to deliver our ultimate goal of building and sustaining a winning team that competes for championships.”

The Dolphins missed the playoffs this season for the first time in McDaniel’s three seasons as coach. He has a 28-23 regular-season record.

Grier has been Miami’s general manager since 2016 but has been with the organization since 2000 when he was hired as a scout.

There also was turmoil after the game as star receiver Tyreek Hill expressed his unhappiness with the organization and said he needs to reassess his career.

“I have to do what’s best for me and my family,” Hill told reporters. “If that’s here or wherever that case may be, I’m opening that door for myself. I’m out. It was great playing here but at the end of the day I have to do what’s best for my career.”

Hill wasn’t on the field late in the game and McDaniel said afterward that he was informed Hill wasn’t available.

The Dolphins haven’t won a playoff game since the 2000 season, the longest active drought of any NFL club.

Miami was hurt this season by quarterback instability as standout Tua Tagovailoa was limited to 11 games due to multiple injuries. Tyler Huntley, who joined the team in mid-September, started five games and Skylar Thompson made one start. Tim Boyle also made two appearances.

–Field Level Media

Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (28) rushes for a touchdown Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, during a game against the Tennessee Titans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

Top 10 Player Props For NFL Week 17

Posted on | by Field Level Media

With NFL games on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday this week, Week 17’s Sunday slate only features nine games. With several games like Raiders vs. Saints where both teams are bad, putting money on the traditional betting line is challenging. But it is a great week for NFL player props.

The following are our top 10 player prop picks for Sunday’s NFL games. (Odds are from FanDuel unless otherwise indicated.)

Jets vs. Bills

–Breece Hall, O/U 49.5 Rushing Yards at -113/-113

Hall has gone over this number in six of his last seven games. With rain in the forecast for Buffalo on Sunday, there is a good chance the Jets will focus more on the run. Plus, the more they run, the longer they can keep Josh Allen on the sideline.

Hall ran for a season-high 113 yards on the Bills earlier this year. The Bills have been an average run defense this season, which makes me think Hall will easily surpass 49.5 yards.

Take the OVER.

–James Cook, O/U 77.5 Rushing + Receiving Yards at -114/-114

The Bills have leaned into the run the last couple of weeks, with Cook going for 100-plus in two straight games and three of four. With inclement conditions expected, it would be surprising if they didn’t hand off to Cook early and often this week as well.

He could go over the total just running the ball. But in case he doesn’t break off a long run like he did the last two weeks, he’ll make up the difference with a couple of screen passes.

Take the OVER.

Falcons vs. Commanders

–Bijan Robinson, O/U 83.5 Rushing Yards at -113/-113
–Robinson, O/U 18.5 Rushing Attempts at -132/+102

The best thing Atlanta can do to help Michael Penix Jr. is establish the run, which the Falcons should do anyway with a running back like Robinson. He’s gone for 86 or more yards in six of his last seven games (four in a row). He carried the ball 19-plus times in each of them; in the outlier, he only had 12 carries.

Atlanta will make sure Robinson eats against Washington’s lackluster run defense (29th in the NFL).

Take the OVER on both.

–Michael Penix Jr., O/U 207.5 Passing Yards at -114/-114
–Penix, O/U 29.5 Pass Attempts

The Falcons will try to protect their rookie this week, much like they did last week vs. the Giants. Establishing the run will be the focus of the offense, with enough passing to keep the Commanders’ defense (which happens to be one of the best pass defenses in the league) honest.

Penix had 27 pass attempts last week. Teams have been attempting 28.5 per game on the Commanders this season and 32.3 in the last three. If Cousins was still at QB, I’d expect Atlanta to be closer to 32 attempts than 28 — but not Penix.

They’ll play it safe with Penix again. Take the UNDER for both.

Dolphins vs. Browns

–Tyreek Hill, O/U 49.5 Receiving Yards at -114/-114

It hasn’t been the kind of year we’ve come to expect from Hill, but with all the injury issues Miami has dealt with, it’s not surprising. He’s averaging 55.6 yards per game this season and has exceeded 49.5 yards in three of his last six games.

But the Dolphins are still alive for the playoffs and are facing a Browns defense giving up 157.7 yards per game to wide receivers this season. Other pass-happy teams like the Broncos (Week 13) and Bengals (Week 16) saw their wide receivers combine for 200-plus.

Take the OVER.

Giants vs. Colts

–Jonathan Taylor, O/U 102.5 Rushing Yards at -115/-115 (via DraftKings)
–Taylor O/U 22.5 Rushing Attempts at -110/-110 (via DraftKings)

Taylor carried the ball 29 times for 218 yards last week vs. Tennessee, but 135 yards came on two carries. Expecting similar numbers would be unrealistic.

But as long as the Colts decide to abuse the Giants’ 31st-ranked run defense rather than (try to) establish the pass, good things will happen.

Taylor has had at least 21 attempts each time the Colts have won while he was healthy this season. As bad as the Giants’ run defense is, it makes sense to feed Taylor the ball 25 times.

Take the OVER for both.

Cowboys vs. Eagles

–Saquon Barkley, O/U 111.5 Rushing Yards at -113/-113

With Jalen Hurts out this week, the Eagles will likely focus on establishing the run with Barkley to take pressure off Kenny Pickett. It didn’t result in a win last week against the Commanders, but Washington is a better team than the Cowboys this year.

Dallas has held teams to an average of 89.3 yards over their last three games. But the Eagles are playing at home and have a chance to lock up the division with a win. With Barkley and the defense leading the way, they’ll get the job done.

Take the OVER.

–Field Level Media

Dec 15, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (17) is helped off the field during the second quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Dolphins WRs Jaylen Waddle, Tyreek Hill ailing for 49ers’ clash

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Miami Dolphins receivers Jaylen Waddle and Tyreek Hill are both ailing as the team prepares for Sunday’s home game against the San Francisco 49ers.

Waddle (knee) was listed as doubtful on Friday’s injury report after missing all three practices this week. He was injured in the second quarter of last weekend’s 20-12 loss to the Houston Texans.

Hill is listed as questionable with a wrist injury that has bothered him all season. Hill has said he will consider getting the wrist surgically repaired after the season.

Hill has 67 receptions for a team-best 805 yards in 14 games this season. He has caught five touchdown passes.

Waddle has 54 catches this season for 700 yards and two touchdowns.

Miami ruled out long snapper Blake Ferguson (non-football illness) and listed receiver D’Wayne Eskridge (knee) as doubtful.

Also listed questionable were left tackle Terron Armstead (knee), right tackle Kendall Lamm (back) and linebackers Bradley Chubb (knee) and Cameron Goode (knee).

San Francisco will be without left tackle Trent Williams (ankle) and running back Isaac Guerendo (foot/hamstring). Questionable for the contest are defensive end Nick Bosa (hip/oblique), linebacker Dre Greenlaw (Achilles, knee) and defensive end Robert Beal Jr. (ankle).

–Field Level Media

Nov 11, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) carries the ball against the Los Angeles Rams in the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill (wrist) plans to play, claims surgery on table

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Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill is running the fine line between hurt and injured, claiming Thursday he plans to delay surgery for a wrist injury to be part of Miami’s late-season push.

Hill was limited in practice on Thursday but was available to media and said he plans to take the field when the Dolphins (3-6) play the Raiders (2-7) on Sunday.

On the injury report for the first time last week, Hill was listed as questionable before playing Monday night. He caught a touchdown pass and finished with three receptions for 16 yards in Miami’s 23-15 win over the Rams.

“Surgery was brought up, and it was talked about, whenever I talked to a few of the doctors. But it’s my call at the end of the day, and my call is to stay out on the field,” Hill said Thursday. “I’m here. I’m locked in no matter what, no matter how I feel. Even if I’ve got to cut my wrist off, I’m still out there. Because I love the game of football.”

After Monday’s game, head coach Mike McDaniel said Hill’s decision to play in Los Angeles wasn’t a surprise to teammates.

“He’s a warrior,” McDaniel said.

Hill scored for the first time since Week 1 — he also posted his only 100-yard game of the season with 130 yards against Jacksonville back in the September opener.

He said the injury first popped up in that game and was aggravated recently while run-blocking.

“It’s football,” Hill said. “No excuses.”

–Field Level Media

Sep 30, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) runs with the football against the Tennessee Titans during the third quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill has no interest in being traded

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Tyreek Hill appeared mighty frustrated during the Miami Dolphins’ loss to the Tennessee Titans on Monday night but he asserted Wednesday that he remains highly committed to staying in South Florida.

Unfounded speculation arose about Hill’s future and the star receiver was stunned Wednesday to hear trade rumors involving him were being tossed around.

Hill made it clear that he is happy with the Dolphins, who have started 1-3 and are averaging an NFL-low 11.3 points per game.

“I’m just focused on right here and right now,” Hill told reporters. “We’ve got a beautiful team here and I want to be a part of it. We’ve got a great situation here, my family loves it, I enjoy it, the weather’s great, the fans are great. So, we’ve got a beautiful situation here, man … We all know the NFL is a business. Whatever happens, happens.

“Moving forward, I would love to be here — I love being here.”

The Miami offense has been hampered since losing standout quarterback Tua Tagovailoa to a concussion in Week 2 and his return remains uncertain.

In Monday’s 31-12 home loss to the previously winless Titans, Hill caught four passes for just 23 yards, and Miami had just 184 yards as a team.

In Week 1 with Tagovailoa, Hill caught seven passes for 130 yards and one touchdown. In the ensuing three games, he has 10 receptions for 87 yards and no scores.

The dropoff came with Skylar Thompson as the starter in Week 3 and recently signed Tyler Huntley running the show in Game 4.

Hill was seething at the turn of events in the second half on Monday, but coach Mike McDaniel said any competitive-nature frustration is fine with him.

“I would expect him to be visibly upset at somebody,” McDaniel said. “He’s a leader and he wanted to do everything that he could to make sure the result wasn’t that. Within the locker room there’s a lot of guys challenging each other, and we get an opportunity to see what we’re made of, for sure.”

The Dolphins did a three-year, $90 million restructuring to Hill’s contract in early August. His first two seasons for the Dolphins were top-notch: a career-best 119 catches in both seasons, 1,710 receiving yards in 2022 and a league-best 1,799 last season, and a combined 20 touchdown receptions.

Hill is an eight-time Pro Bowler — beginning with six straight berths with the Kansas City Chiefs before being traded to the Dolphins after the 2021 season.

Hill is forecasting an improved offensive showing on Sunday against the host New England Patriots. Huntley will be back behind center for his second start for the team.

“Snoop is awesome,” Hill told reporters, referring to Huntley by his nickname. “For him to be here for (two) weeks and for him to be prepared the way he was prepared for that Monday night game, in my book that’s trending upwards. Because our offense is so complicated and there’s so many motions and words in the play call, and for him to get all that down in a week or so, it’s tremendous.

“I can tell already by him stepping into the huddle, he’s already confident. He’s reading the play call, not even looking at it, so he’s ready to roll, man.”

Huntley completed 14 of 22 passes for 96 yards and also rushed for 40 yards and a score against Tennessee.

Huntley’s 1-yard scoring run with 3:36 left in the game ended the Dolphins’ dubious streak of 10 straight quarters without a touchdown.

–Field Level Media

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (17) celebrates his touchdown with wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) during the first half of an NFL game against the Carolina Panthers at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Oct. 15, 2023.

Dolphins’ Jaylen Waddle practices; Tyreek Hill (thumb) misses drills with Bucs

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Tyreek Hill’s thumb injury is minor, and the Miami Dolphins would like to keep it that way.

Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel said he will hold the All-Pro wide receiver out of team drills in this week’s joint practices with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers fearing he could “put him at risk of further injury.”

“From a medical standpoint, you’re just trying to let something cool down so you don’t have something happen at the expense of regular-season games,” McDaniel said Wednesday. “So he’s been very active but we’re trying to make sure … we keep him out of harm’s way.”

Dolphins No. 2 wide receiver Jaylen Waddle was in pads Wednesday, ending a two-week period of not practicing. The Dolphins didn’t disclose a specific injury to Waddle, who said Wednesday before practice he was listening to his body, dealing with “something minor but something we have to respect.”

There is still no indication that Odell Beckham Jr. is close to practicing with the Dolphins.

Hill wore a brace on his hand Tuesday. Reports suggest he was injured in joint practices with Washington last week on a play in which he fell on his hand.

The five-time All-Pro was on pace for an NFL record-setting season in 2023 before an ankle injury slowed his production late in the season.

Hill finished 2023 with 119 receptions and a career-high 1,799 yards, tying for the NFL lead with 13 TD receptions.

–Field Level Media