Dolphins preparing to possibly be without Tyreek Hill; Tua not a fan of ‘Hard Knocks’ coming to Miami

As the Miami Dolphins began the practice week on Wednesday before facing the New England Patriots, they were hit with a major injury concern.

Wide receiver Tyreek Hill missed practice with a hip ailment.

The seven-time Pro Bowl wideout who is on pace for more than 2,000 receiving yards this season with a league-leading 902 through seven games, has his status in doubt for Sunday’s home game against the Patriots (2-5).

Hill was briefly seen in the sideline injury tent late in last Sunday night’s loss to the Eagles in Philadelphia. If Hill cannot play against New England, Jaylen Waddle will have to step up as a No. 1 receiver and other pass catchers on the Dolphins depth chart will have to make up for Hill’s large target share.

“I don’t think anyone can emulate what Tyreek does on the field,” Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagoailoa said. “His speed, his cuts in and out of breaks. I don’t think there’s anyone that can emulate him. He’s in his own league. He’s one of a kind. But needless to say, I think people forget about the things Jaylen Waddle can do, the things that he already has done for our team since his rookie year. And there’s a lot of other guys that I think you can’t sleep on.”

Waddle was also dealing with a back injury during the Eagles game at Lincoln Financial Field but was able to return. Waddle was a limited participant in Wednesday drills. Tagovailoa said Waddle and Cedrick Wilson Jr., who stepped up for two key catches against the Eagles while Waddle was out of the lineup, had solid practices Wednesday.

As Tagovailoa continued speaking on Hill at his usual Wednesday news conference, it seemed possible Hill won’t be imminently returning by his use “somewhere down the line” in an answer.

“If we couldn’t have Tyreek, that would be tough, but the show goes on,” Tagovailoa said. “You’ve got to continue to play, and somewhere down the line, we’re going to get Tyreek back. And it has to be one of those things where you never lift your foot off the gas and you don’t lose that rhythm as a team or as a unit.”

Waddle, asked his thoughts on Hill’s availability, said: “That’s above my pay grade.”

Hill’s lowest receiving total of the season came in the Dolphins’ first meeting with the Patriots on Sept. 18 in Foxborough. He finished with 40 yards on five catches.

Before Hill wasn’t seen at Wednesday’s practice, coach Mike McDaniel spoke on the challenge of getting him open against a unique defensive game plan that will likely focus in on the playmaker if he plays.

“If they are taking away one thing, you’re giving up another thing,” McDaniel said. “If people are going to overplay one thing, you have to be able to execute another. I think if you really commit, you can put 11 players on one guy, but that leaves other players available and the structure of the defense a little vulnerable.”

Aside from Hill and Waddle, the Dolphins offense will already be without rookie phenom running back De’Von Achane, Pro Bowl left tackle Terron Armstead and starting left guard Isaiah Wynn with all on injured reserve. Center Connor Williams is trying to return after missing three of his past four games with a groin injury. Running back Raheem Mostert, who is tied for the league lead in total touchdowns, also missed Wednesday’s practice with an ankle injury, as did fullback Alec Ingold due to his ailing foot.

Tagovailoa also touched on the coming of hit HBO series “Hard Knocks” inside the Dolphins’ locker room.

It will surely excite several players, like Hill once he returns, who can allow their personalities to shine for a national audience.

But others could do without the access the NFL Films camera crew will have.

Put Tagovailoa in that latter category.

When a reporter first mentioned the topic at Tagovailoa’s news conference, Tagovailoa paused for 11 seconds before answering.

“That’s probably my reaction,” Tagovailoa said of the long silence. “You know, I have no control over that. That was probably, necessarily not the best body language I’ve had in a team meeting as it was being introduced to us that we were going to be on ‘Hard Knocks.’ ”

Said Waddle, “It’s cool you gotta get used to it.

“It’s something everybody watches, so you kind of know what to expect just watching episodes in former seasons.”

Sun Sentinel columnist Chris Perkins contributed to this report.