Dolphins’ Tyreek Hill explains his unique reaction to graphic knee injury and why he’s unsure of NFL future

Miami Dolphins star receiver Tyreek Hill his season came to an abrupt end in Week 4 when the eight-time Pro Bowl pass catcher suffered a serious knee injury in a win over New York Jets. Hill dislocated his knee and tore several ligaments, including his ACL.

As Hill was loaded onto a cart and wheeled off the field, he could be seen clapping his hands and smiling. Hill waved to the crowd and blew kisses to fans. It was a strange reaction after a painful season-ending injury, but there was a reason for it.

During a recent appearance at Terron Armstead's podcast, “KitHill said that after he realized his leg was “gnarled,” he immediately felt grateful for all the incredible moments football had given him and thought about the time he would now have to spend with his family.

“So I immediately started laughing, man, because I feel like I could play this game my whole life and I've been blessed with great talents and great gifts, and the amount of support I get from my family is amazing, man,” Hill said. “I didn’t really even think about the injury. I was just thinking about all the great times I had playing this game and just being in Miami. Everything has come full circle. I know it (wasn't) but I was just happy bro. Because I always try to find the good in everything. I have time to think about my kids, I have time to travel, I have time to really sit down and enjoy life and not always be working out.”

Hill said his whole life was dedicated to training, life in the gym, on the treadmill, on the machine. He didn't sacrifice his time for his family or other things he wanted to do. Now he has the opportunity to bond with his children, go to church on Sundays and improve himself off the field.

Any time a 31-year-old speedster suffers an injury like Hill's, it's fair to wonder if his football career might be over. Armstead asked Hill how he responded to doubters, and he gave a rather surprising but honest answer.

“Well, at the end of the day, I feel like this decision is completely based on how I feel and what my mindset is at the moment,” Hill said. “Like now, I’m happy. I'm happy with my kids, I'm happy with my career. I love to play football. mom, family, everything… I don't want to make any rash decisions, obviously. I just want to be in the moment.”

Hill says his rehab is going well and he's attacking every day. Following the injury, Hill's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, said the goal was to be ready for Week 1 in 2026. When or if Hill returns, it likely won't be with the Dolphins.

This was reported by CBS Sports NFL insider Jonathan Jones. The Dolphins are expected to release Hill before the start of the new league year in March. Hill has $29.9 million in non-guaranteed base salary for next year, but $16 million is guaranteed on the third day of the new league year, March 14, 2026.

If Hill's football career is over, it was one great ride. “Cheetah” was the fastest receiver of its time. He won Super Bowl With Kansas City Chiefswas named first-team All-Pro five times and led the NFL in both receiving yards and receiving touchdowns in 2023. In six of Hill's 10 NFL seasons, he topped 1,000 receiving yards. In his first two seasons with Miami, Hill became the first player in NFL history to pass for 1,700 yards and catch 20 touchdowns multiple times.

As Hill explained, the time to make a decision about his football future is not now. It's about living in the moment off the field.