MIAMI GARDENS — Miami Dolphins star wide receiver Tyreek Hill appears in line to build toward being his normal self ahead of Sunday’s season-opening game in Indianapolis against the Colts.

Hill, who has been nursing an oblique injury, has been ramping his practice workload up from missing the three weeks of joint practices and preseason games against the Bears, Lions and Jaguars.

“You can tell by that he has a fresh oblique,” Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel quipped, before adding: “The process has been very good.”

What that means for Hill on Wednesday, according to McDaniel as he continues to manage his workload, is he will miss individual drills in practice but get that work in the team setting.

At practice, Hill, who is also listed on the team’s first injury report for treatment on a calf, was seen working on an eye-coordination drill with tennis balls during one period where wide receivers where doing separate position-specific drills.

“I feel amazing. I feel great,” Hill said after Wednesday’s practice. “First time practicing this week in a while, I’m still doing my thing, moving fast. I’m getting in and out of the route, so I feel amazing, man. It’s great to be back with the team.”

McDaniel said there will be a similar management of practice ramp-up for other players. Among them appears to be running back De’Von Achane, who has been nursing a calf injury in recent weeks, and was limited at Wednesday drills.

Achane, though, said after Wednesday’s practice he feels like he’s back to 100 percent.

Hill has also redeveloped his chemistry with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, with linebacker Jordyn Brooks noting Monday that Hill caught multiple touchdowns in that day’s practice.

“There’s been a lot of growth across the board,” McDaniel said.

“There’s been growth from Tyreek and Tua to our center (Aaron Brewer) with a rookie guard (Jonah Savaiinaea) or a new person on our team. … You can talk (linebackers Tyrel Dodson) and Jordyn Brooks. There’s a lot of connectivity in a team sport where 11 people are (working together).”

Dolphins tight end Darren Waller, meanwhile, didn’t practice Wednesday, as McDaniel said would be the case.

After his activation off the physically-unable-to-perform list two weeks ago, Miami is yet to put him through three consecutive practice, so Wednesday marked one where the team sat him, likely pushing him more Thursday and Friday ahead of the opener, due to a greater emphasis on third-down and red-zone periods in those sessions.

“We’re being very intentional with how we practice with Darren to do right by the Dolphins and do right by him,” McDaniel said.

The Dolphins have been cautious not to overexert Waller since he came out of retirement to join Miami via trade from the New York Giants leading up to training camp. He started camp on the PUP list in order to get into football shape, and Wednesday he was on the injury report for a hip injury. McDaniel has said Waller has not had any setbacks.

Running back Jaylen Wright, who should be out weeks with a knee injury, also didn’t practice Wednesday. Cornerback Ethan Bonner was seen working out on the side as he rehabs a hamstring injury. Wide receiver Dee Eskridge was in a red, non-contact jersey as he is in concussion protocol.

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Injuries revealed for several players

The Dolphins’ first game week of the new season meant the first injury report released Wednesday would reveal a number of previously undisclosed ailments for players.

Waller is listed for a hip injury after it was said by McDaniel he started training camp on the physically-unable-to-perform list in order to get back into football shape out of retirement.

That said, the listing is not necessarily a direct indication Waller had been recovering from the hip injury at the time he was placed on the PUP list. NFL teams are required to report any body part a player is receiving treatment for, so it could merely be minor maintenance on the hip.

McDaniel noted Waller has had no setbacks as he works his way back into action.

Tagovailoa said Wednesday he’s not sure how much Waller will play in Sunday.

Wright’s lower-body injury suffered in the joint practice against the Jacksonville Jaguars two weeks ago was revealed Wednesday to be to the knee. He is expected to miss multiple weeks allowing it to recover.

Right tackle Austin Jackson has a bad toe, after he missed multiple weeks during camp getting his foot stepped on.

Safety Ashtyn Davis’ lower-leg injury suffered early in camp is a calf ailment. He was deemed a limited participant in Wednesday’s practice.

Hill was also revealed to be dealing with a calf injury, along with his ailing oblique. Hill was limited Wednesday.

Other injuries listed but that still allowed for full participation Wednesday: Cornerback Storm Duck (hip), tight end Julian Hill (shoulder) and safeties Ifeatu Melifonwu and Dante Trader Jr. (hamstrings).

Originally Published: September 3, 2025 at 1:17 PM EDT