Miami Dolphins

Miami Dolphins star Tyreek Hill is confident in his belief that he's still the best wide receiver in the NFL following a recent flurry of trades involving Davante Adams and Amari Cooper.

"They're still not the best receiver in the league, because I am and I stand on that," Hill said on Wednesday, via Nick Shook of NFL.com.

Adams was traded from the Las Vegas Raiders to the New York Jets on Tuesday in exchange for a conditional 2025 third-round draft pick. On the same day, the Buffalo Bills acquired Cooper from the Cleveland Browns. The Bills received the star receiver and a 2025 sixth-round pick, sending out a 2025 third-round selection and a 2026 seventh-round pick.

While Hill feels that he's the top player at his position, he complimented the moves made by Miami's AFC East rivals.

"No, I'm definitely happy for Davante [Adams] teaming back up with his old quarterback -- I know that's obviously where he wanted to be," Hill said, per Shook. "And for Amari [Cooper], I think him and Josh Allen those two guys will play very well together, because Amari is still one of those guys that can get open."

Hill's coming off a terrific 2023 campaign, compiling a league-leading 1,799 receiving yards in 17 appearances. He also found the end zone 13 times, finishing No. 2 in Offensive Player of the Year voting.

The eight-time Pro Bowl receiver was off to another hot start in 2024, hauling in seven receptions for 130 yards and a touchdown in Week 1. His production has dipped since Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa suffered a concussion the following game, though.

Hill hasn't been as effective with Skylar Thompson and Tyler Huntley under center. From Week 3 through Week 5, he averaged just 44 receiving yards per game.

With Tagovailoa expected to return before the end of the 2024 season, the Dolphins may be able to bounce back from a 2-3 record.

Hill could also look like his former self with Miami's Pro Bowl passer back on the field.

Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel revealed on Monday that he expects quarterback Tua Tagovailoa to return from a concussion before the end of the 2024 season.

"There's still information he's seeking this week," McDaniel said, per the Sun Sentinel's David Furones.

"I do expect him to be playing football in 2024," he added.

McDaniel confirmed that Tagovailoa won't play in Week 7 as he remains on injured reserve but said that the "process continues" as he looks to recover from a concussion that he suffered during the Dolphins' Week 2 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sept. 12 (via ESPN's Jeremy Fowler).

It's a positive sign for the Dolphins that the 26-year-old could be back on the field this season, as McDaniel said on Sept. 13 that he had "zero idea" regarding a timeline for the signal-caller to return (via Kevin Patra of NFL.com).

Tagovailoa also appeared to be progressing in his recovery prior to the latest update on Monday. McDaniel was optimistic about the quarterback's rehab when speaking to reporters on Oct. 7, explaining that the "final stages" of concussion protocol "won't be achieved until we bring him back off IR," per Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald.

"Everything is so far so good," McDaniel said.

The Pro Bowl signal-caller is eligible to resume practicing with his teammates on Oct. 23.

In two games before suffering the concussion, Tagovailoa completed 64.5 percent of his throws for 483 yards and two touchdowns to go along with three interceptions. He was also sacked four times.

It was a slow start to the year for Tagovailoa, as he was coming off a 2023 campaign in which he recorded a league-leading 4,624 pass yards and helped the Dolphins achieve a record of 11-6. He was rewarded with a four-year, $212.4 million contract extension in July.

Miami's offense has struggled mightily without the former first-round pick under center, averaging just 10 points per game in three contests since his injury to go along with a 1-2 record.

Tyler Huntley has started the past two games for the Dolphins, racking up 290 yards and an interception through the air without a passing touchdown.

Sitting at 2-3, Miami will attempt to stay competitive in the AFC playoff picture until Tagovailoa makes his expected return.

Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel provided an update on Tua Tagovailoa as the quarterback recovers from the concussion he suffered during the Week 2 loss to the Buffalo Bills.

McDaniel told reporters Monday that Tagovailoa is scheduled to undergo an "expert consultation" this week, adding that "the final stages of protocol won't be achieved until we bring him back off IR. … Everything is so far so good."

The head coach also said that there has been "nothing negative so far, but we're still in the process."

Miami first turned to Skylar Thompson and has since relied on Tyler Huntley under center during Tagvailoa's absence. And things haven't gone well with blowout losses to the Seattle Seahawks and Tennessee Titans before an ugly 15-10 victory over the New England Patriots.

Huntley went 18-of-31 for 194 yards, zero touchdowns and one interception during the win over the Patriots.

As for Tagovailoa, his concussion was met with immediate concern given his recent history.

He suffered multiple concussions during the 2022 season, and the league even altered its concussion policy that season after he took a hard hit during a game against the Bills. He was also hospitalized from the concussion he suffered against the Cincinnati Bengals that year.

Tagovailoa suffered another concussion against the Green Bay Packers that season, although he remained in that contest. The extent of the injury wasn't revealed until after the game.

It remains to be seen when Tagovailoa will return, as the Dolphins placed him on injured reserve. McDaniel's comments indicated that he is working toward an eventual return as the recovery process continues.

Miami Dolphins running back De'Von Achane was ruled out of the team's matchup with the New England Patriots on Sunday after entering concussion protocol.

Achane was slow to get up after he was tackled by Patriots safety Jaylinn Hawkins following a 12-yard carry in the first quarter. He was helped off the field, eventually heading back to Miami's locker room.

The 22-year-old picked up 18 rush yards on three attempts before exiting the contest.

Achane appeared in all four of Miami's games to open the season after suiting up in just 11 contests as a rookie in 2023 due to a knee injury. He was listed as questionable heading into Week 2 with an ankle issue, although he was still able to play.

The former third-round pick has used his speed to torch opposing defenses on the ground and through the air, racking up 997 yards from scrimmage and 11 total touchdowns last season. Achane was off to another strong start in 2024, recording 352 all-purpose yards entering Sunday's action.

The Dolphins' offense was already shorthanded before his injury, as quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has been out since Week 2 after suffering his third diagnosed concussion since the start of the 2022 season.

Miami's offensive attack has struggled without Tagovailoa, scoring just 15 total points in consecutive losses to the Seattle Seahawks and Tennessee Titans. Head coach Mike McDaniel's squad will now need to survive without Achane until he's able to exit concussion protocol as well.

The Dolphins are expected to rely on veteran Raheem Mostert and rookie Jaylen Wright to carry their rushing attack against New England. The Patriots have allowed just 99.3 rush yards per game through four weeks, the ninth-best mark in the NFL.

Former NFL linebacker and Tagovailoa family friend Manti Te'o believes Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa will attempt to return to the field in part because of the "obligation" he feels to his teammates.

He revealed as much during an interview with TMZ Sports that was published Sunday and said he believes Tagovailoa is "going to try to get back" after suffering a concussion during a Sept. 12 game against the Buffalo Bills.

"It's no surprise to me that he's going to try to do so," Te'o said. "That's just Tua being Tua. He loves the game. He feels an obligation to his teammates. That's just who he is. He plays hurt."

This comes after the former NFL linebacker became quite emotional on Good Morning Football the day after his friend suffered the injury:

Concussions are always worrisome for any player, but they are especially troubling with Tagovailoa given his recent history.

The Miami signal-caller suffered multiple concussions during the 2022 season, including one against the Cincinnati Bengals that hospitalized him and another against the Green Bay Packers that wasn't revealed until after he remained in and finished the game.

The NFL also altered its concussion policy that season after a hit Tagovailoa suffered during a game against the Bills.

Miami has struggled without him and is 1-3 overall and 0-2 since he's been sidelined. Skylar Thompson and Tyler Huntley have played quarterback in his absence.

As for Te'o, he played in the NFL from 2013 through 2020 for the San Diego Chargers, New Orleans Saints and Chicago Bears. He is still best known for starring during his collegiate career at Notre Dame.

Veteran wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. will reportedly make his season debut for the Miami Dolphins on Sunday against the New England Patriots.

According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero, Beckham is being activated from the physically unable to perform list after practicing all week, paving the way for him to play in Week 5.

After spending last season with the Baltimore Ravens, OBJ signed a one-year, $3 million, incentive-laden contract with the Dolphins during the offseason. He was subsequently placed on the PUP list after undergoing an undisclosed offseason procedure.

Miami is off to a disappointing 1-3 start due in part to quarterback Tua Tagovailoa suffering a concussion in the second game of the season.

The Dolphins went on to lose that game to the Buffalo Bills and have now lost three in a row overall. Miami started Skylar Thompson at quarterback in Week 3 and Tyler Huntley last week, and both of them struggled to get Miami's high-powered offense firing on all cylinders.

As a result, neither Tyreek Hill nor Jaylen Waddle has had the type of season most expected them to have. Through four games, Hill has 17 receptions for 217 yards and one touchdown, while Waddle has 17 catches for 212 yards and no scores.

The Dolphins have gotten next to no production out of the rest of their wide receivers, as Robbie Chosen, Grant Dubose, D'Wayne Eskridge and Malik Washington all have one catch each.

Beckham, 31, was once one of the best and most dynamic wideouts in the entire NFL.

Over his first three NFL seasons with the New York Giants from 2014 to 2016, Beckham earned three Pro Bowl nods and had three straight campaigns with at least 90 catches, 1,300 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Beckham suffered a broken leg in 2017, and while he barely eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark in both 2018 and 2019, he has never quite been the same player since that injury.

That isn't to say he can't have an impact, though, as he played a big role in the Los Angeles Rams winning the Super Bowl in 2021.

OBJ had 21 catches for 288 yards and two touchdowns in four playoff games that season, and he was perhaps on his way to a Super Bowl MVP performance before tearing his ACL during the game.

Beckham subsequently missed the entire 2022 season before signing with the Ravens and helping them finish with the best record in the NFL last season at 13-4.

With MVP Lamar Jackson throwing him the ball, Beckham finished with 35 grabs for 565 yards and three touchdowns in 14 games.

Beckham won't necessarily be a huge part of the Miami offense, but he gives head coach Mike McDaniel a viable WR3, which is something he did not have over the first month of the season.

Regardless of which wide receivers are on the field, the Dolphins will need far better quarterback play from Huntley on Sunday if they want to get back on track and improve their record to 2-3 with a victory over the Pats.

The NFL says it will "not have a role" in deciding when Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa can return to the field following the third diagnosed concussion of his professional career, Kevin Seifert reported for ESPN.

Other than the NFL and NFLPA's enforcement of concussion protocol, Tagovailoa's decision will be guided by outside medical experts, NFL chief medical officer Dr. Allen Sills said Friday on a conference call.

"Patient autonomy and medical decision-making really matters," Sills said, per Seifert. "And I think that's what we have to recognize goes on with our concussion protocol as well. Ultimately when patients make decisions about considering their careers, it has to reflect that autonomy that's generated from discussions with medical experts giving them best medical advice."

The Dolphins placed Tagovailoa on injured reserve after he suffered a concussion on Sept. 12 during a Week 2 loss to the Buffalo Bills. He will be eligible to return at the earliest on Oct. 27 for a Week 8 contest against the Arizona Cardinals.

The Dolphins, who are off to a 1-3 start to the season largely while missing both Tagovailoa and backup Skylar Thompson, will need to consider their starter's long-term health while helping him prepare to return to the field.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported on Monday's episode of NFL Live that Tagovailoa is "symptom-free" and on track to start against the Cardinals.

"I think he's gonna be back, and I think that that's something that a lot of people at the time thought was challenging, if not unlikely," Schefter said (h/t ClutchPoints' Ryan Bologna.) "And the fact of the matter is, he has been symptom-free, and he's felt better.

"And he's visited with neurologists, and to my knowledge, I don't think anybody's said to him, 'you can't do this.' I don't think anybody's said that."

Sills, who has expressed confidence in the ability of the Dolphins' medical staff to help Tagovailoa navigate recovery, was hired by the NFL as the league's first chief medical officer in 2017.

Sills also worked with the Dolphins' medical staff during each of Tagovailoa's prior diagnosed concussions. The second concussion, which Tagovailoa suffered during the 2022 season less than a week after hitting his head on the turf in a prior game, prompted an investigation into and update of the league's concussion protocol.

Sills said at the time that Tagovailoa would likely not have been allowed to play in the game during which he suffered the second concussion under the new protocol.

If Tagovailoa can pass this updated protocol, and is taken off of IR at the end of the month, it doesn't sound like Sills and the NFL plan to intervene.

Colorado head coach Deion Sanders seemingly sees the Miami Dolphins as a landing spot for his son, Shedeur Sanders.

Sanders hinted at the possibility of the Dolphins taking the quarterback in the 2025 NFL draft during a Sunday appearance on the Nightcap show with Shannon Sharpe and Chad Johnson.

"What do you do business-wise if you're the Dolphins?" Sanders said around the 47-minute mark (h/t Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk). "Do you go into the draft and take a quarterback, which is what I'm saying, or do you say, 'Tua, let's check this out, let's see what we're going to do.' Is his health more important than that?"

Johnson then brought up Shedeur heading to the Dolphins before Sanders seemingly confirmed the message.

"So you just got the revelation, huh? I tried to feed you the revelation," he said.

Miami quarterback Tua Tagovailoa suffered his third diagnosed concussion in the past three seasons in Week 2, landing on injured reserve. The Dolphins have struggled in his absence, losing three consecutive games.

Shedeur has thrived under center for the Buffs this year, completing 70.1 percent of his throws for 1,630 yards and 14 touchdowns compared to just three interceptions. He's ranked as the No. 2 quarterback in the 2025 draft class on the latest big board from Bleacher Report's NFL Scouting Department.

However, it's hard to see the Dolphins drafting a quarterback to replace Tagovailoa. He signed a massive four-year extension worth $212.4 million prior to the season, the richest deal in franchise history.

He also might be able to return before the end of the regular season, as ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that he's "symptom-free" as he recovers from the concussion and could return as soon as Week 8.

The Buffaloes signal-caller will likely be a target for several teams in need of quarterback help in the 2025 draft, although Miami may not be one of them.

Odell Beckham Jr. told reporters on Thursday that the Miami Dolphins knew he wouldn't be ready for the start of the 2024 season and said he chose to go onto the Physically Unable to Perform List—which meant he couldn't play for at least the first four games of the season—to keep a roster spot open for another player while he returned from a knee injury.

"For me, it was a selfless act," he said. "Because if I'm not on the PUP list, I'm taking up a roster spot. Which means I'm taking someone else's job and I'm not doing anything. It's not really a good feeling to have. So it was what was best for this team, this organization."

The 31-year-old noted that "football wasn't exactly a priority in my life" following the 2023 season, due to a number of things happening off the field, and that his original plan was to join a team at some point during the 2024 season. But in talking to Mike McDaniel and other players Beckham knew on the Dolphins, the veteran wideout chose to sign in Miami, noting that McDaniel was OK with Beckham likely not being ready to start the 2024 campaign.

The wideout returned to practice this week, opening up a 21-day window to be added to the active roster. If he isn't on the active roster once that window closes, he'll be placed on season-ending injured reserve.

As for whether he'll play this Sunday against the New England Patriots, Beckham said that decision would be made by McDaniel.

"Odell's looked great," Miami receivers coach Wes Welker told reporters. "You know, just in some of the routes on air and different things like that. He looks like the Odell that we've seen. We're getting him out there, getting him moving around, chemistry with all of the guys in the room. And with the quarterbacks. And just continue to work the process."

Beckham was a three-time Pro Bowler in his first three NFL seasons with the New York Giants and was one of the burgeoning superstars in football. But a falling out in both New York and later Cleveland, paired with a long list of injuries, put to a halt his ascendancy.

Last season, he appeared in 14 games for the Baltimore Ravens, posting 35 catches for 565 yards and three touchdowns.

For the Dolphins, the hope is that he can settle into the third receiver role behind Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, adding another weapon to a team that has started just 1-3 and has already suffered major injuries to key players like quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and edge-rusher Jaelan Phillips.

Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross is engaged in "advanced talks" to sell a stake in the franchise to a private equity firm, according to Bloomberg's Randall Williams.

Under the proposed deal, Ares Management would purchase a 10 percent stake in a group assets that includes the Dolphins, Hard Rock Stadium and Formula One's Miami Grand Prix. The assets altogether would be valued at $8.1 billion.

Sportico's Eben Novy-Williams reported Joe Tsai, who owns the NBA's Brooklyn Nets and WNBA's New York Liberty, would purchase an additional three percent stake.

Should the transaction go through, it will be the first time a private equity firm took advantage of the NFL's new ownership rules. Team owners voted in August to allow up to 10 percent of each franchise to be sold to private equity funds.

CNBC's Alex Sherman detailed how the ever-increasing franchise valuations prompted the league to consider a radical change.

NFL teams don't change hands very often and now they're becoming so expensive that the pool of people who can afford to buy into the league is getting smaller and smaller. Selling a minority stake to private equity is a way for owners to raise some money without fully divesting themselves.

Sherman reported Ares Management was among the firms that had been approved to invest by the NFL.

The Dolphins were previously the subject of outside in May. USA Today's Safid Deen reported that Ross "recently entertained a stunning $10 billion offer for control of the Dolphins, Hard Rock Stadium, and the F1 Miami race." The 84-year-old preferred to keep majority control within his family.

Dolphins CEO Tom Garfinkel told Hal Habib of the Palm Beach Post days later that "I know unequivocally that the team is not for sale."

By brokering a deal with Ares Management and Tsai, Ross managed to find a middle ground.