Apparently, Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill’s gruesome knee injury was indeed as bad as it looked.
The team confirmed Monday night that Hill had dislocated the joint after being injured in a 27-21 victory over the New York Jets, Miami’s first of the 2025 season. Tuesday morning, ESPN and NFL Network further reported that Hill also suffered multiple ligament tears, including to his ACL, a development that would end his season.
Hill is set to undergo surgery Tuesday.
The eight-time Pro Bowler went down in a heap after getting tackled on the sideline and was immediately tended to by Jets trainers as Miami’s medical staff raced across the field. ESPN’s ‘Monday Night Football’ cameras showed Hill’s left knee contorted at an unusual angle as he went out of bounds on a hit early in the third quarter. Hill was eventually loaded onto a medical cart and, perhaps oddly, smiled and chuckled while acknowledging the crowd with upbeat gestures as he was transported to an ambulance before being taken to a local hospital.
Coaches and teammates found inspiration in Hill’s post-injury demeanor.
‘He was probably in the best spirits of any player that I’ve ever seen (have) such a terrible experience,’ Miami head coach Mike McDaniel said following the win. ‘He immediately had wide eyes and was talking, ‘I’m good, just make sure the guys get this win.’ He was focused on the team.’
However a former teammate posted on social media, after speaking with Hill, that his smiles were a mechanism for masking tremendous physical pain.
‘I just got a FaceTime call from my brother @cheetah (Hill)’ recently retired Dolphins tackle Terron Armstead posted on X.
‘First thing he said ‘man I’m just happy we got that win’!! He’s in good spirits and said he was laughing through the pain, to avoid passing out!!’
Hill’s season now comes to a premature end following another period of turbulence in his volatile career. He’d been dealing with accusations of domestic abuse from his estranged wife while working his way back into the good graces of his team after publicly quitting on them during the regular-season finale of the 2024 campaign. He was not voted a team captain this year, and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa said during training camp that Hill still needed to earn back the team’s trust.
It seemed Hill was on his way, playing well through four games, including six catches for 67 yards before going down against the Jets. He’d also been publicly upbeat despite the Dolphins’ 0-3 start.
‘We talked a lot about all the stuff that Tyreek has done this offseason, and a big portion is leading by example and connecting with his teammates, and he kind of utilized that connectivity to make sure that his team was finishing on the right end,’ McDaniel said Monday.
‘He was inspiring in that situation, and I think his teammates benefited from that.’
How long is Tyreek Hill out?
All injuries are unique to the person suffering them, but ACL tears are typically season-ending setbacks. The same goes for dislocated knees, and Hill’s situation seems further complicated if he indeed tore multiple knee ligaments. He could be severely challenged to be ready to play by opening day in 2026.
Tyreek Hill contract
Hill, 31, is in the second year of a three-year, $90 million extension with Miami. However he is schedule to make $36 million in 2026, the final season of his pact, when his base salary spikes to $29.9 million. He will be an obvious candidate for a restructure or release during the 2026 offseason given both his injury situation and contractual structure.
Tyreek Hill stats
Hill’s 2025 season ends after he compiled 21 catches for 265 yards and one touchdown.
Hill as surpassed 1,000 receiving yards in six of his 10 NFL seasons.
Hill had a career-best 1,799 receiving yards in 2023 and was voted the NFL’s best player in a survey of his peers the following summer.
Dolphins WR depth chart
Tyreek Hill (injured)
Jaylen Waddle
Malik Washington
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine
Dee Eskridge
Tahj Washington
Theo Wease Jr. (practice squad)
AJ Henning (practice squad)
(This story was updated with more information.)