Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel had to keep his team focused on beating the New York Jets, 27-21, while dealing with a serious injury to star wide receiver Tyreek Hill on Monday.
Hill severely injured his knee during the game and was carted off the field and taken to a hospital. He had six catches for 67 yards before the injury, which is likely season-ending.
“I know he’s at the hospital. I know he’s staying overnight,” McDaniel told reporters afterward. “I know it was a dislocation.”
“He was probably in the best spirits of any player that I’ve ever — it’s such a terrible experience when you go out and see guys when they have issues like that,” McDaniel added. “But 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, so that’s how much — that’s what I know about it. Outside of that, I’m sure I’ll be given more information tomorrow.”
Mike McDaniel Addresses Tyreek Hill’s Positive Demeanor Amid Injury
As for Hill’s positive demeanor after the injury, McDaniel saw that as good leadership for the team. Hill, a five-time first-team All-Pro and eight-time Pro Bowl, has been a fixture for the Dolphins since he joined the team in 2022.
“I think it’s giant,” McDaniel said. “A good portion of the team, we had the offense up at the time obviously so they’re already close to the hash, and specifically I saw him make eye contact and rip a joke or two to (Jaylen) Waddle and De’Von (Achane).”
“And you know, I think a lot of guys got back into the game provoked by what he said verbally,” McDaniel continued. “We talked a lot about all the stuff that Tyreek (Hill) has done this offseason, and a big portion is leading by example and connecting with his teammates.”
“He kind of utilized that connectivity to make sure that his team was finishing on the right end. So he was inspiring in that situation, and I think his teammates benefitted from that,” McDaniel concluded.
The Dolphins went out and got the win for Hill, the team’s first of the season. Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa threw for 177 yards and two touchdowns, and running back De’Von Achane rushed for 99 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries.
Miami’s defense forced three fumbles and sacked Jets quarterback Justin Fields twice. Ultimately, the Dolphins defense held off a Jets comeback in the fourth quarter when the visitors put up 10 points.
Mike McDaniel Details Moving Forward From Tyreek Hill Injury
Miami will need to move forward without Hill, but the Dolphins have the Carolina Panthers (1-3) next before the schedule gets harder again. It could buy time for the Dolphins to adjust to life without Hill.
“I guess it’ll take what the players were doing after he left. It’s football. It’s 100% injury rate,” McDaniel said. “Man, he’s great, valuable and a very important player to us, but every team has the same situation going on, different cadence.”
“Everybody has injuries no one cares about. So it’s the team playing football together, and I think it would be important for us to continue to be plus three (in turnovers) like we were in this game against the New York Jets and a litany of things,” McDaniel added. “We just have to keep getting better. That’s the exact thing that every team has to do regardless of what anyone says.”
“In September, moving into October, you need to firmly develop your football and continue to get better regardless of results, and see where you lie in the later months,” he concluded.
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