Tyreek Hill injury update: Latest on Dolphins star WR's status for Monday's game vs. Rams
The Miami Dolphins have been playing like fish out of water all season. As they get set for a Week 10 matchup on "Monday Night Football" against the Los Angeles Rams, the Phins might be going into battle with a key member of their pod.
Tyreek Hill's status has been anything but clear heading into Monday night, and no one can pinpoint a definite answer. That will officially come around 6:45 p.m. ET when inactive reports are due. However, in the meantime, speculation has run rampant about the receiver's wrist injury.
Miami comes into Week 10 with a 2-6 record, good enough for last place in the AFC East. Barring a miracle, their playoff hopes have vanished. That's an important factor in the decision regarding Hill. Typically, once teams come to terms with a lost season, they err on the side of caution with an eye toward next year.
While that may or may not be the case with Hill, Miami has to protect their star player moving forward. For a team that's been battered all season, these Dolphins have some business decisions to make. Here's the latest on Hill before Monday night's kickoff in Los Angeles.
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Tyreek Hill injury update
Tyreek Hill is officially active, according to ESPN's Lisa Salters. Hill told Salters that he has a torn ligament in his wrist, but is going to play through it. The receiver tested the wrist during pregame warmups, which went well. Miami will have their speedster as they try to cling to their slim playoff chances.
ESPN's Adam Schefter delivered some promising news for Hill's status on "The Pat McAfee Show" earlier on Monday. Schefter said he heard it sounded promising that the receiver would play. He later added that he thinks Hill will suit up.
Of course, things can change quickly with injuries. Hill has been plagued by a wrist issue since training camp. Despite a few stints on the injury report, he hasn't missed a game yet. However, the alarms began to sound in the lead-up to Week 10, when Hill was listed as a DNP on Friday and Saturday before getting the "questionable" tag.
Ever since, he's been considered a game-time decision, with head coach Mike McDaniel telling reporters on Saturday that the wrist was "heating up" on Hill and the team wanted to "let it cool down."
Hill's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, didn't rule out surgery but said that decision will be kept in-house. Whether Monday night's result changes the outlook one way or another remains to be seen.
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Dolphins WR depth chart
Miami's depth has been tested all season, and the receiver spot is no different. With Braxton Berrios and more on IR, losing Hill would put an even bigger strain on an already floundering unit. Here's a look at how that likely breaks down:
Waddle would assume the WR1 spot, but it would take a community effort behind him. Beckham Jr. is the likeliest player to get those additional targets, but Miami activated Cracraft off IR on Monday, giving some added insurance. However, the reality is that Miami will probably look elsewhere if Hill is sidelined. McDaniel's offense likely turns to tight end Jonnu Smith and the running back room to make up that missing production in the passing game.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Tyreek Hill injury update: Is Dolphins WR playing tonight vs. Rams?