Dolphins’ Tyreek Hill, Connor Williams injured vs. Titans

MIAMI GARDENS — The Miami Dolphins had injuries to star wide receiver Tyreek Hill and starting center Connor Williams in the first quarter of Monday night’s game against the Tennessee Titans.

Hill returned in the third quarter from an ankle injury while Williams was ruled out due to his knee.

Hill was injured while twisted on a tackle out of bounds that went for a loss. He appeared to be in significant pain holding his left leg while on the ground. He got up, limped at first and then ran back to the Dolphins’ sideline.

Hill had a quick stint in the medical tent before he was back out on the sideline, watching without his helmet. He came out through the tunnel for the second half later than the rest of the Dolphins, and with 6:43 remaining in the third quarter re-entered for Miami’s second offensive series of the second half.

“It was a lot of pain, man. It sucked,” Hill said after the game of what he was experiencing. “When it actually happened — I’ve obviously been dealing with some ankle injuries this whole season — and when it happened, like my first reaction was like, ‘Man, my ankle is gone.’

“My adrenaline kicked in. I ran off the field. Then, I sat for a while and it got stiff and I was going through a lot of pain. … I just made up my mind that it’s going to hurt. It’s going to suck, (Monday night and Tuesday) morning. I just went back in the game on my own, without anybody saying, ‘Reek, go.’ It was like, ‘No … I’ve got to get out there and bring some energy and be that spark.”

Hill, who is vying for the NFL’s first 2,000-yard receiving season, finished with four catches for 61 yards, putting him at 1,542 for the season. He had exited with two catches for 13 yards. Dolphins fans were chanting “MVP!” for him at the time of his initial exit.

Williams was rolled up on from behind on the Dolphins’ opening offensive drive Monday. He was initially deemed questionable to return, but after further examination, was downgraded to out.