MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Tyreek Hill has openly accepted responsibility during what has been one of the least successful seasons in his nine-year NFL career. Following a lackluster showing in Miami’s 29-17 victory over the San Francisco 49ers, Hill addressed the noticeable dip in his chemistry with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa this year.
“At the end of the day, I know I need those important reps with Tua,” Hill remarked, acknowledging the impact of veteran rest days on his performance.
In the NFL, it is common practice for teams to grant veteran players time off during the week, particularly later in the season when injuries accumulate. Hill has missed three practices in the past month, either for rest or personal reasons, including one last Wednesday due to what the team described as rest/wrist issues. Throughout the season, he has been dealing with a wrist injury and was listed as questionable before Sunday’s game.
Coach Mike McDaniel recognized the balancing act between practice and rest, stating, “There’s always pros and cons with any sort of rest. I wish every player could take part in 100% of the practice snaps at full intensity each week. It’s a tricky formula trying to determine how to rest players while also ensuring they are in optimal condition.”
Hill’s performance against the 49ers was subpar as he managed to catch only 3 of 7 targets for 29 yards and a touchdown, including several drops, one of which occurred on third down during Miami’s initial drive. Hill lamented his missed opportunity, expressing, “I completely blame myself for not getting my head around and not seeing the ball because if I would have, we could have had a 70-yard touchdown.”
Additionally, Tagovailoa and Hill missed out on connecting for two possible touchdowns during the game. The first was deflected by a 49ers defensive back, just escaping Hill’s fingers, while the second was again dropped, a failure Hill attributed to insufficient practice reps.
Reflecting on lessons learned from former coach Andy Reid during his time in Kansas City, Hill emphasized, “You can’t just show up on Sunday. You’ve got to prepare throughout the week. When Sunday comes, everything feels easier.”
Presently, Hill’s performance is trending toward his least productive season since 2019, when he recorded 58 catches, 860 receiving yards, and seven touchdowns. This year, he leads the Dolphins with 834 receiving yards, six touchdowns, and 70 receptions—six catches short of team leaders De’Von Achane and Jonnu Smith. Hill’s season average stands at just 57.5 yards per game, his lowest since his rookie year.
This marks a significant drop from the previous year when Hill topped the NFL with 1,799 yards, 13 receiving touchdowns, and an average of 112.4 yards per game. Earlier this season, Hill faced a considerable decline in output when Tagovailoa was sidelined for four games due to a concussion, averaging just 35 yards per game as the Dolphins struggled offensively with only 12 points per game, which was the lowest in the league.
In agreement after the game, Tagovailoa acknowledged the necessity for more practice time together. “That’s essential for me to connect with all our players,” Tagovailoa stated. “When throws miss during team practice, we make sure to regroup and get those necessary reps together, discussing what we see and how we feel about the execution.”