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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dec 31, 2023; Baltimore, Maryland, USA;  Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) on the sidelines during the first half against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Child playing with lighter caused blaze at Tyreek Hill’s mansion

The blaze that raged through the mansion of Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill on Wednesday afternoon was sparked by a child playing with a lighter.

Davie (Fla.) Fire Marshal Robert Taylor announced Thursday that the fire was deemed accidental and caused by a child playing with a lighter in a bedroom. Officials did not release the age of the child or additional details, but confirmed there were no injuries.

Hill was at the team facility when firefighters were called to the gated community in Southwest Ranches, Fla., as other family members evacuated to monitor from the street.

The seven-bedroom, 8.5-bathroom home was purchased in May 2022 for $6.9 million.

Hill’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, said the property suffered extensive water and smoke damage.

The Dolphins are playing at home in the final game of the regular season on Sunday with a chance to win the AFC East division for the first time since 2008.

Hill already has a career-high, NFL-leading and franchise-record 1,717 receiving yards this season to become the first player in NFL history to record 1,700-plus receiving yards in multiple seasons.

“He is going to be fine physically, mentally this is challenging,” Rosenhaus told NBC Miami.

–Field Level Media

Nov 24, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) is tackled by New York Jets cornerback D.J. Reed (4) in the second half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

Chasing 2,000, Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill questionable vs. Jets

A rested Cheetah still has a chance to play Sunday, but Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill missed all three practices this week with an ankle injury.

Head coach Mike McDaniel said Friday he held Hill out of practice to give him more time to heal. Whether he returns from an ankle injury he suffered Monday in a loss to the Tennessee Titans is expected to be a game-time decision against the New York Jets on Sunday.

Hill leads the NFL in receiving yards and is 458 yards shy of his goal of reaching 2,000 this season. He has 97 receptions for 1,542 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2023.

McDaniel said earlier in the week the Dolphins are taking the long view on the injury. If he’s out, Jaylen Waddle (63-822-3) would be the No. 1 receiver for Tua Tagovailoa.

“It’s his career. When we talk, this is what will happen,” McDaniel said. “If he’s confident he can be himself and I have the support of the trainers, he will play. If it’s not, he won’t.”

Hill had nine receptions for 102 yards and a touchdown in Miami’s 34-13 win at the Jets last month. Waddle caught eight passes for 114 yards in that game.

–Field Level Media

Miami Dolphins guard Connor Williams (58) is check out by staff during the first quarter against the Tennessee Titans at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Fla., Monday, Dec. 11, 2023.

Dolphins C Connor Williams out for year, WR Tyreek Hill day-to-day

The Miami Dolphins lost starting center Connor Williams for the rest of the season with a torn ACL.

The news was more positive for star wide receiver Tyreek Hill, who is considered day-to-day with an ankle injury.

Both Williams and Hill were hurt Monday night in the first quarter of a 28-27 defeat to the visiting Tennessee Titans.

Williams, 26, is in his second season in Miami and sixth in the NFL. He has made 77 starts across 83 career games with the Dallas Cowboys (2018-21) and Miami.

“You don’t directly replace him, necessarily,” Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said. “I’d love to take the time right now to speak to the regard that this team has for Connor Williams and what he was doing this year, playing some excellent ball … You don’t necessarily replace that directly. However, you also prepare a lot for contingencies for these types of scenarios.”

Liam Eichenberg filled in at center Monday night and is expected to start at the position going forward.

As for Hill, he was injured with 2:50 left in the first quarter while being tackled. Tennessee’s Sean Murphy-Bunting brought down Hill with the latter’s lower left leg getting stuck underneath the left side of the cornerback’s body.

Hill was able to run off the field, from the Titans’ sideline to the Dolphins’, but he stayed out of the game till midway through the third quarter. He finished the night with four catches for 61 yards on just 34 snaps (47 percent of the offense’s plays).

“When it happened, like my first reaction was like, man, my ankle is gone,” Hill said postgame. “My adrenaline kicked in, I ran off the field, then I sat for a while and it got stiff and I was going through a lot of pain. Then I just made up in my mind, I came in at halftime, I texted my wife, I was like, ‘This (expletive) hurt.’ I need an ankle massage tonight, and she’s like, ‘You’d better get your ass back in that game, dawg.’ I was like, ‘All right.’”

Come Tuesday, McDaniel called it too early to be confident about Hill’s status for Sunday’s home game against the New York Jets.

“It was a painful ankle. Until he flat-out tells me there’s no doubt he’s going to play, you always have to plan for everything,” McDaniel said.

Hill is attempting to be the first 2,000-yard receiver in league history. He leads the NFL with 1,542 yards and 12 touchdown catches and ranks second with 97 receptions.

–Field Level Media

Miami Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert (31) and wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) are back at practice. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports

Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill, RB Raheem Mostert return to practice

Most of Miami’s injured offensive standouts returned to practice Thursday after appearing on the injury report the day before and are in line to play in the Dolphins’ Week 8 matchup with the New England Patriots.

Wide receiver Tyreek Hill (hip) and running back Raheem Mostert (ankle), who have combined to score 18 touchdowns in the first seven games, were both participants Thursday.

Hill had five receptions for 40 yards and a touchdown in the Week 2 win over the Patriots. Mostert rushed for 121 yards and two touchdowns in that 24-17 victory.

The Dolphins also had safety Jevon Holland back on the field for practice. Holland remains in concussion protocol and was wearing a red, non-contact jersey.

Whether cornerback Jalen Ramsey is cleared for his debut with the Dolphins this week might not be determined until Sunday, according to defensive coordinator Vic Fangio.

Ramsey, acquired from the Los Angeles Rams in the offseason, has recovered from a training camp knee injury and no longer is limited in practice.

“He is progressing well, practicing more this week, and we’ll see how that turns out by Sunday,” Fangio said. “Any time you add good players to your team it will change, should be to your benefit.”

Defensive back Nik Needham seems to believe Ramsey is ready.

“Jalen looks great,” Needham said. “Yeah, that’s a freak athlete right there. So, one of a kind. He ran like 22 miles per hour fresh off the injury. So, you don’t really see that normally out here. It’s crazy.”

–Field Level Media