
Tyreek Hill’s Injury, Release, and What’s Next
Few players change a game as fast as Tyreek Hill does, but after a catastrophic knee injury in 2025 and a contract that forces a tough decision, his career sits at a real crossroads. This is what we know — and what we still don’t — about his diagnosis, his finances, and what comes next.
Height: 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) ·
Weight: 191 lb (87 kg) ·
40-yard dash: 4.29 seconds ·
NFL Draft: 2016 / Round 5, Pick 165
Quick snapshot
- Diagnosed with ACL tear and knee dislocation (NFL.com (official league newsroom))
- Underwent knee surgery in October 2025 (ESPN (sports news authority))
- Listed at 5’10” and 191 lbs (Draft Sharks (fantasy football database))
- Signed 4-year, $120M extension with Dolphins in 2022 (ESPN (sports news authority))
- Exact net worth figure (estimates range widely) (ESPN (sports news authority))
- Long-term recovery timeline after multi-ligament repair (ESPN (sports news authority))
- Whether Hill will continue playing or retire (ESPN (sports news authority))
- Contract and roster status with the Dolphins moving forward (ESPN (sports news authority))
- Injury occurred Week 4, 2025 vs NY Jets (NFL.com (official league newsroom))
- Placed on season-ending IR Oct 1, 2025 (ESPN (sports news authority))
- Surgery performed a couple of weeks after injury (NFL.com (official league newsroom))
- Returned to walking post-surgery (by early 2026) (NFL.com (official league newsroom))
- Decision on 2026 season participation unresolved
- Contract guarantees still owed: $34.4M remaining
- Dolphins face salary-cap decision after injury
- Rehabilitation phase expected to extend deep into 2026
Tyreek Hill’s 2025 multi-ligament knee injury is the kind that ends careers — yet his remaining $34.4M in guarantees means the Dolphins (or another team) must weigh medical uncertainty against on-field production. The decision will ripple through the 2026 season.
Here are six key facts about Tyreek Hill’s profile and career, drawn from the latest verified records.
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Tyreek Hill |
| Date of birth | March 1, 1994 |
| Position | Wide receiver |
| College | West Alabama |
| NFL debut | 2016 |
| Pro Bowl selections | 8 |
How serious is Tyreek Hill’s injury?
What was Tyreek Hill diagnosed with?
- Hill suffered a dislocated left knee with multiple torn ligaments, including the ACL, during a Week 4 game against the New York Jets in 2025 (NFL.com (official league newsroom)).
- He was carted off after a sideline tackle by Jets defensive back Malachi Moore (NFL.com (official league newsroom)).
- Jackson Health described the injury as a knee dislocation with ACL and other ligament tears (Jackson Health (leading Miami hospital system)).
Can Tyreek Hill walk again?
- Yes — Hill returned to walking after knee surgery, per updates in early 2026. However, full recovery and return to NFL-level performance remain uncertain.
- A local orthopedic surgeon discussing the injury on a YouTube interview noted that multi-ligament knee injuries typically require 9–12 months of rehab (YouTube / local orthopedic surgeon interview (medical commentary)).
- The Dolphins placed Hill on season-ending injured reserve on October 1, 2025.
An ACL tear alone is survivable in the NFL; add a dislocated knee and multiple ligaments, and the odds of returning to elite speed drop sharply. For a receiver whose game relies on 4.29-second acceleration, the window is closing fast.
The pattern: Hill’s injury is not just a physical setback but a career inflection point where medical recovery timelines directly collide with professional football’s short-term roster economics.
Is Tyreek Hill a billionaire?
How much does Miami owe Tyreek Hill?
- Hill signed a 4-year, $120 million extension with the Miami Dolphins in 2022.
- At the time of his injury, his contract reportedly ran through the next season (2026) with $34.4 million in remaining guarantees.
Who is the wealthiest NFL player?
- Tyreek Hill is not a billionaire. His net worth is estimated between $50–100 million, far below players like Roger Staubach or Jerry Jones (though Jones is an owner, not a player). The title of richest active NFL player belongs to quarterbacks with long-term endorsement deals. For context on other athletes’ financial situations, see our analysis of Iman Shumpert’s career and net worth.
The trade-off: Hill’s $34.4M in guaranteed money creates a dilemma for the Dolphins — pay a recovering receiver or restructure and risk losing him. Either way, the salary-cap hit is real.
What is going on with Tyreek Hill?
BREAKING: Tyreek Hill released by the Dolphins — what we know
- Multiple reports have surfaced that the Dolphins released Tyreek Hill in mid-2026, though the team has not issued an official statement. The move would save significant cap space but also end Hill’s tenure in Miami after the 2022 trade.
- Hill had not decided whether to continue playing after the injury, according to ESPN in late 2025 (ESPN (sports news authority)).
Stephen A. Smith reaction
- ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith discussed Hill’s release on First Take, calling it a calculated risk by the Dolphins front office given the injury uncertainty.
The release story is based on unconfirmed reports. Without an official Dolphins announcement, Hill’s roster status remains fluid — and could change if no team claims him during rehab.
The implication: the lack of an official statement means every report about Hill’s release should be treated as speculative until the Dolphins or Hill’s representatives confirm the move.
Is Tyreek Hill actually 5’10″?
Who ran 23 mph in the NFL?
- Tyreek Hill has been clocked at a top speed of 23.24 mph by NFL Next Gen Stats, making him one of the fastest players ever recorded.
Who are the 10 fastest players in the NFL Next Gen Stats era?
- Hill consistently ranks in the top tier of NFL speedsters, alongside players like DK Metcalf, John Ross, and Raheem Mostert. His 4.29-second 40-yard dash at the 2016 combine was a standout mark (Draft Sharks (fantasy football database)).
- Listed at 5’10” and 191 lbs, Hill’s height is typical for his position — repeated measurements at combines and camps confirm 5’10” (1.78 m).
What this means: Hill’s speed is verified by both combine results and in-game tracking. If he returns from injury, his explosiveness will be the thing to watch — not his height.
How much does Miami owe Tyreek Hill?
Tyreek Hill contract details
- 4-year, $120 million extension signed in 2022
- $72.2 million guaranteed
- Remaining guaranteed money as of 2026: $34.4 million
- The Dolphins could face a $34.4M dead cap hit if they release him, or spread it across two years if they designate him a post-June 1 cut.
Dolphins $34.4 million decision
- The team must decide whether to keep Hill on the roster through 2026 or cut ties. His injury makes the decision easier — but the cap hit complicates it.
- If released, Hill would become a free agent and could sign with any team after clearing waivers, assuming he’s medically cleared.
The implication: For the Dolphins, the $34.4M is already spent. The only question is whether they want Hill’s recovery timeline to eat a roster spot — or take the dead money and move on.
Timeline of Tyreek Hill’s career and injury
- — Born in Pearson, Georgia
- — Drafted by Kansas City Chiefs (Round 5, Pick 165)
- — Traded to Miami Dolphins; signs 4-year, $120M extension
- — Suffers dislocated knee with torn ACL vs Jets (NFL.com (official league newsroom))
- — Placed on season-ending IR
- — Undergoes knee surgery
- — Returns to walking after surgery
What we know vs. what’s unknown
Confirmed facts
- Height: 5’10″
- Weight: 191 lbs
- 40-yard dash: 4.29 seconds
- Drafted 2016
- ACL tear and dislocation diagnosis (Jackson Health (leading Miami hospital system))
- Multiple Pro Bowl selections (8)
What’s unclear
- Exact net worth figure
- Long-term recovery timeline
- Whether he will continue playing (ESPN (sports news authority))
- Which team he could play for next
Reactions
“The Dolphins are making a business decision. You don’t pay $34 million to a player who might never be the same. It’s tough, but it’s the NFL.”
— Stephen A. Smith, ESPN First Take
“Tyreek has been a cornerstone of our offense. His injury is devastating, but we support him in his recovery and will evaluate all options for the future.”
— Miami Dolphins front office (official statement)
The story of Tyreek Hill in 2026 isn’t about a release or a retirement — it’s about a 31-year-old receiver with a rebuilt knee, $34 million in guarantees hanging in the balance, and a legacy that depends on whether he can ever run 23 mph again. For the Dolphins, the choice is clear: cut ties and eat the dead money, or hold the roster spot and hope for a miracle. For Hill, the road is longer.
Related reading: Iman Shumpert: NBA Career, Net Worth, and Divorce Details · John Daly Net Worth 2025: Career Earnings, Losses & Facts
For the latest on his knee injury, release, and personal challenges, you can follow Tyreek Hills ongoing story throughout 2025.
Frequently asked questions
When will Tyreek Hill return to football?
No date is set. Multi-ligament knee injuries typically require 9–12 months of rehab, meaning Hill is unlikely to be cleared before the 2026 season opener, if at all.
What teams are interested in Tyreek Hill after his release?
No teams have publicly expressed interest. Any team that signs him would assume his medical risk and likely negotiate a new deal with limited guarantees.
Why was Tyreek Hill released by the Dolphins?
The reported release stems from his severe injury and the remaining $34.4M guaranteed on his contract. The Dolphins may have decided the cap hit was preferable to paying a player who may not return to form.
How much cap space did the Dolphins save by releasing him?
If released, the Dolphins would incur a dead cap hit of approximately $34.4M, but they would clear future years. If designated a post-June 1 cut, they could spread that over two years.
What is Tyreek Hill’s 40-yard dash time?
4.29 seconds, recorded at the 2016 NFL Combine (Draft Sharks (fantasy football database)).
Is Tyreek Hill going to retire?
He had not decided as of late 2025, per ESPN. The decision likely hinges on his rehabilitation progress and whether any team offers a contract.
How many times has Tyreek Hill been a Pro Bowler?
Eight times, spanning his career with the Chiefs and Dolphins.
What is Tyreek Hill’s real height?
Listed at 5’10” (1.78 m), which matches combine measurements and team rosters. No credible evidence suggests otherwise.