MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. -- Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill dislocated his left knee during Monday night's 27-21 win over the Jets and was hospitalized overnight while undergoing further testing on the season-ending injury.
Coach Mike McDaniel confirmed Tuesday that Hill also tore multiple ligaments in his knee, including his ACL. Hill was having surgery on Tuesday.
Hill on Tuesday, posted a video to X from his hospital bed to express thanks for the prayers and support he has received.
Thank you guys for the prayers, I feel all the love. ❤️ here we go✌🏿 pic.twitter.com/oSOdG9zaJ9
— Ty Hill (@cheetah) September 30, 2025
The injury happened early in the third quarter, when Hill caught a 10-yard pass from quarterback Tua Tagovailoa on third down. Hill's left leg was twisted under him as he was tackled out of bounds.
An air cast was placed on Hill's leg. As teammates crowded around him, Hill remained upbeat, smiling and waving to the crowd as he was driven away on a cart.
"He was probably in the best spirits of any player that I've ever seen [have] such a terrible experience," McDaniel said. "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."
The Dolphins responded with two consecutive touchdown drives, and McDaniel believes Hill's attitude was a critical reason.
"I think it's giant," McDaniel said Monday. "I saw him make eye contact and rip a joke or two to [Jaylen] Waddle and De'Von [Achane], and I think a lot of guys got back into the game, provoked by what he said verbally. 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.
"He was inspiring in that situation, and I think his teammates benefited from that."
Hill, who entered Monday's game leading the Dolphins with 198 receiving yards, has missed just one game, during the 2023 campaign, in his four seasons in Miami. He was off to a strong start Monday night with 67 receiving yards on six catches.
Hill, 31, didn't participate in team drills during spring practices and missed three weeks of training camp, including all four joint practices. McDaniel said Hill's absence in practice this summer helped the team develop an identity without him.
"I thought that, in years past, when he'd be out for a day or two or something would come up, we didn't have the same competitive spirit," McDaniel said. "I thought this offseason, we were able to develop that practicing joints and doing all that. So that's productive. It should be helpful for the guys so they're not going in uncharted territory."
With Hill out for the season, Waddle becomes the Dolphins' de facto No. 1 receiver -- but the team will need someone to step into Waddle's former role. Second-year receiver Malik Washington is the prime candidate after operating as the Dolphins' primary target at times in training camp.
The Dolphins could also use non-wideouts for production in the passing game. Tight end Darren Waller made his season debut Monday and caught two touchdown passes, and running back Achane leads all NFL running backs in receptions and receiving yards since the start of last season.
"I feel like there will be a lot of guys in the receiver room that will have more opportunities to make plays. I have faith in them, especially from what I've seen over camp and the first few weeks," Waller said. "Football is a game and a business where you got to move forward.
"There is no replacing [Hill], but I feel like we got guys that can get the job done."