Teams ‘monitoring’ Hill (knee), not much of a market

Hill suffered a dislocated knee, torn ACL and LCL, and other ligament damage in Week 4 of the 2025 season. He posted a video of himself working out and said he didn’t have a timeline to return, but added that the timeline is “looking real good right now.” Still, the fact that he has no power in his recovering leg speaks louder than his words. Hill is currently a free agent and is likely several months away from playing if things go well. It’s also unlikely we know where he is playing until deep into the season. Fantasy managers, in turn, shouldn’t worry about him in summer drafts.

Hill suffered a gruesome knee injury in Week 4 of last season. Hill suffered a dislocated knee, along with a torn ACL and LCL, while also injuring other ligaments. The 32-year-old receiver has undergone multiple surgeries since his injury, with his most recent surgery coming in February. Hill could have a decent market when he is able to return, but it doesn’t sound like he’s anywhere close to seeing the field. Unsigned and injured, Hill doesn’t have any fantasy value at this point, and could be hard for fantasy managers to trust in 2026, even when healthy, given when we could expect to see him.

“I wouldn’t say the room is complete,” he added. The Athletic’s Daniel Popper also mentioned Jauan Jennings, Deebo Samuel, and Tyreek Hill as “unsigned veteran receivers with scheme familiarity” for new OC Mike McDaniel. Fantasy managers reliant on Ladd McConkey will want the Chargers to avoid a reunion with Allen, as they both tend to win in the same areas of the field. McConkey, of course, watched his fantasy stock suffer last year with Allen in the fold.

We’re just days removed from Hill being released by the Dolphins. Furthermore, Reid adds that he doesn’t know if Hill “is healthy right now to do anything.” While Reid didn’t rule out the possibility of a reunion with the veteran receiver, it isn’t all too surprising to hear that the two sides have yet to discuss things. Hill has already said he intends to play in 2026 when he is healthy, but with his availability for training camp already in doubt, Hill may have to prove to teams he is able to play before signing a deal.

Speaking on Sports Extra with Josh Moser, Rosenhaus said Hill is “progressing well” in his recovery and intends continue his playing career. Hill, 31, was released by the Dolphins after four seasons with the team, and still has a lot to overcome after suffering a dislocated knee and torn ACL last season, and is not a lock to be ready to go come training camp. If he does intend to play, teams could opt to bring him in and continue to work with him through rehab until he is up to speed, but it seems unlikely Hill would get more than a one-year deal given his age and current injury status. When healthy, Hill still has plenty to offer a team in need of an explosive playmaker, and could see several contenders line up for his services in the coming months.

Hill is one of several Dolphins players who have been informed of their release. The soon-to-be 32-year-old receiver saw his 2025 season come to an end in Week 4 when he suffered a dislocated knee and torn ACL against the Jets, but put together a respectable 21-265-1 line before going down. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero notes “it’s unclear when or if” Hill will play next season, but if he does, Hill will be a free agent for the first time in his career. The eight-time Pro Bowler should have plenty of suitors once he can prove he’s fully recovered from his injury.

The Dolphins are over the cap before they even get into what it would take to release Tua Tagovailoa off the books. Hill has a $51.1 million cap number for 2026 and the Dolphins can save at least $23 million in cap space depending on what designation they would decide to use to release Hill’s contract. He has a $11 million guarantee set to activate in mid-March as well as a $5 million roster bonus. Hill, entering his age-32 season after tearing a number of ligaments in his knee, would be a fascinating free agent. Perhaps even an affordable one for a contender.

It was the first public interview given by Hill since suffering a season-ending knee injury in Week 4. The 31-year-old receiver said right now he’s happy being at home with his kids and with the career he has had before adding “I’m at the point now where I need to have a conversation [about retirement] with mom, family, everybody.” Laid up on his couch and recovering from surgery, Hill sounded more like a player who would prefer to retire than continue the NFL grind, but a lot could change between now and then. Hill will be 32 at the start of next season but remains under contract through 2026. He’ll have to undergo extensive rehab just to return to the field, and said in 2023 he would retire after his current contract — the one he is on now — expires. Even if he does play in 2026, it’s clear Hill is on the back nine of his career, and could opt to call it quits at any time.

Rosenhaus implicitly acknowledged that the two sides will have to rework Hill’s contract, saying he and Hill “would love to get together with [the front office] after the season and figure something out that works for both sides.” Rosenhaus also recently said that it is “realistic” for Hill to be on the field come Week 1, 2026. This is a bit surprising, as is Hill’s decision to quickly undergo one surgery to correct his dislocated knee and multiple ligament tears, rather than partitioning the procedures a la Texans WR Tank Dell, who tore multiple ligaments and dislocated his kneecap in Week 16, 2024. Anything is possible at this point, though an agent’s prognostications are simply that. We should get more actionable reports from NFL media members in the coming months.

What team he’s with at that point, we do not know. Apparently there’s no nerve damage or cartilage issues for Hill, so even though the surgery is complex, there’s a chance he’ll be ready to go at the start of the 2026 season. We’d be surprised if the 32-year-old, coming off a major and complex knee injury, was more than a WR3 dart throw in 2026. But it can’t be completely ruled out at this point.