MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – Miami Dolphins star Tyreek Hill ran a variety of wide receiver routes, and even danced while warming up before Sunday’s game against the New York Jets.
A week of not practicing seemed to do well for Hill, who entered with a left ankle injury. But a game to rest instead of force the issue could prove to be better for the Dolphins this season.
Sorry, fantasy football owners who depended on Hill to reach the playoffs in Week 15.
But Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel made the right move sidelining his best player and several other standouts who will be vital to Miami’s postseason push in the final three games of this season.
Raheem Mostert scored twice increasing his NFL-lead to 20 touchdowns, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa threw a 60-yard touchdown to receiver Jaylen Waddle in the first half and Miami stifled Zach Wilson and Trevor Siemian to ground the Jets 30-0 at Hard Rock Stadium.
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Miami still owns first place in the AFC East and second place in the conference after the win.
“That wasn’t the easiest decision, but when you look at what’s the best decision for the team and what’s the best decision for him … It became easier in the moment,” McDaniel said of Hill, who he deemed was “pretty close” to play.
“I think some decisions are hard, but easy at the same time.”
Now, comes their biggest test of the season: Miami faces the Dallas Cowboys at home on Dec. 24, the Baltimore Ravens on the road Dec. 31 and the Buffalo Bills in a home finale in Week 18.
But they must get healthy.
Dolphins have been a hobbled bunch in December
It wasn’t just a get right game for the Dolphins, who lost 28-27 to the Titans last Monday. It was a get healthy game for several standouts, too.
Miami also played without starting cornerback Xavien Howard (hip), while safety Jevon Holland (knees) missed his third straight game, and right guard Robert Hunt (hamstring) has missed four of his last five games.
Miami was already without starting edge rusher Jaelan Phillips (Achilles) and linebacker Jerome Baker (knee); both are done for the regular season.
The Dolphins got by the Jets with running back De’Von Achane (toe), left tackle Terron Armstead played (knee and ankle), and interior lineman Liam Eichenberg (calf) playing despite injuries.
Starting right tackle Austin Jackson started despite an oblique injury, and left the game in the second half as a precaution.
The Dolphins will have Hill near 100% healthy to make their push to win the division and contend for the No. 1 seed and home-field advantage in the playoffs.
How far is Tyreek Hill from 2,000 yards?
Hill raised eyebrows when he said he wants to be the NFL’s first 2,000-yard receiver, and he made well on his quest before being missing the Jets game.
Hill still leads the NFL with 1,542 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns despite not playing. He is 400 yards shy of tying Calvin Johnson’s NFL receiving record of 1,942 yards set in 2012. Hill is also 458 yards away from 2,000.
Hill will need to average 133.6 yards in the final three games to break Johnson’s record or 152.6 yards to reach 2,000 yards.
More important, though, is the Dolphins’ quest to reach the postseason for the second straight season and clinch the AFC East for the first time since 2008.
Important enough for Hill to miss his first game as Dolphins in two seasons, and his first game since an inconsequential season finale with the Chiefs in 2020.
Hill has been instrumental to Miami’s success this season, and will be depended on heavily in their playoff pursuit.
“It’s tough not having one of your star guys out there,” Tagovailoa said after completing 21 of 24 for 224 yards and no turnovers without Hill.
Waddle finished with eight catches for 142 yards, while Mostert had 15 carries for 42 yards to lead Miami.
“We’ve got a lot of other guys that we trust, that we believed in … and that’s what happened out there.”