Jevon Holland, Tyreek Hill updates
MIAMI GARDENS — Miami Dolphins safety Jevon Holland said he was fine after last Friday’s win over the New York Jets, but his status could be in doubt for Sunday’s game against the Washington Commanders at FedEx Field.
Holland did not participate in the Dolphins’ Thursday practice after he missed Wednesday drills.
The standout safety who had a highlight-reel 99-yard interception return for a touchdown against the Jets at MetLife Stadium left in the fourth quarter last Friday after his knees were jammed up on the turf while making a head-first tackle.
On Wednesday, Holland was listed on the team’s injury report as receiving treatment on both knees. While listed as a non-participant, he was seen working out on the side of Thursday practice with a compression sleeve on his left knee.
Holland has missed one game earlier this season, Oct. 29 against the New England Patriots, due to concussion protocol. He leads the Dolphins in tackles, with 70.
The third-year player out of Oregon snagged his first interception of the season when he fielded a Hail Mary attempt by New York quarterback Tim Boyle before the end of the first half and returned it 99 yards the other way for a touchdown that broke open Miami’s 34-13 win in the Meadowlands.
Meanwhile, Dolphins star wide receiver Tyreek Hill returned to a limited practice Thursday after missing Wednesday’s session with an ankle injury.
On pace for the NFL’s first 2,000-yard season, Hill looks to stay on track by playing Sunday at Washington. He exited Friday’s win against the Jets momentarily to get the ankle taped but returned in short order and had 102 receiving yards and a touchdown.
Along with Hill, running back Raheem Mostert, who is dealing with ankle and knee injuries, returned to Thursday drills on a limited basis. He has normally been receiving a recovery day early in the week as the Dolphins get deeper into the schedule.
Along with Holland, reserve tackle Kendall Lamm did not participate in Thursday’s practice with his back injury, but starting left tackle Terron Armstead was out there for a second straight limited day as he tries to play through a quadriceps ailment sustained against the Jets.
As right guard Robert Hunt looks to return to action after being active against the Jets but not playing offensively, he went through a second straight limited practice. Fellow offensive lineman Lester Cotton popped up on the team’s Thursday injury report with an illness that limited him in practice.
Gesture from Hill
Hill said Thursday he’s covering the salary of suspended NFL videographer Kevin Fitzgibbons.
Fitzgibbons, who has previously worked with Hill individually for video content, was credentialed by the NFL to film game highlights. He was positioned beyond the end line in the Dolphins’ October home win over the Panthers in which Hill grabbed his cell phone and recorded himself doing a backflip.
Fitzgibbons posted a social media video this week explaining that he had been suspended since the incident, although Hill said it wasn’t a choreographed celebration and he simply saw him beyond the end zone in the moment he scored.
“I told him, ‘Don’t let this get to you. Just hold your head up. You’re still young. Continue to do what you love,’” Hill said Thursday. “Me and him are going to continue to work together. I told him I was going to cover his salary, whatever the NFL was going to pay him or whatever. I told him I was going to make sure that I do what’s right and take care of you, make sure you’re not out of a job. That’s my guy.”
Hill also backed up his recent comments to CBS Sports Golazo that this year’s Dolphins are better than the Kansas City Chiefs team he won a Super Bowl with in 2019.
“Just look at the stats, man. The stats speak for themselves,” Hill said. “A lot of people may not want to agree with me, but they know I’m right. They can be like ‘Oh, we have this player.’ So what? Look at the salary cap and look at the stats this year. That’s all I’ve got to say.”
Emotional moment
Dolphins offensive coordinator Frank Smith got emotional Thursday when it was mentioned to him that his name has been thrown around for the Carolina Panthers’ head coaching vacancy and asked if it flattered him at all.
“It’s not flattering. It’s more humbling,” Smith said. “I remember why I got into coaching. So when all this stuff comes up, it’s pretty cool. But the minute you worry about your goals and where you want to go, you forget, like for me, how lucky I am to be here today.
“All that stuff’s cool, but I truly enjoy every day here and that’s the cool part. And it’s one of those where I’m a walk-on from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Every day of my life, I remember it. So those things pretty cool, but it’s not going to affect today.”
Smith and coach Mike McDaniel have put together the NFL’s top total offense, and passing offense and the league’s No. 2 rushing and scoring offense.
Special teamers
Dolphins special teams coordinator Danny Crossman highlighted linebacker Duke Riley and cornerback Justin Bethel as special teams players that have excelled in kick and punt coverage.
“Those two guys have been consistent,” Crossman said. “We have the other guys that have been in spots and had good games here or there. Cam Goode is really coming on. Whenever we’ve had (Andrew) Van Ginkel, he’s done a nice job, but he’s not had that much play time. The young players are growing and the veterans are playing like veterans.”
