MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — The Miami Dolphins picked up their first win of the season on Monday night, holding off the New York Jets 27-21, but the victory was overshadowed by a potentially serious injury to star wide receiver Tyreek Hill.
Hill went down early in the third quarter after being tackled along the sideline, clutching his lower left leg.
Trainers attended to him before he was carted off the field.
Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel confirmed that Hill sustained a dislocated knee He was transported to a local hospital for further evaluation.
The injury came with Miami holding a 10-3 lead.
Just a few plays later, tight end Darren Waller caught his second touchdown pass of the game to make it 17-3, giving the Dolphins breathing room.
Miami’s defense set the tone early, forcing three turnovers after being shut out in that category through the first three weeks.
Cornerback Jack Jones helped give the Dolphins first defensive turnover of the season, forcing Braelon Allen to fumble at the goal line. Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick recovered the fumble which kept the Jets out of the end zone.
During the opening kickoff of the second half, Dante Trader Jr. pounced on a fumble, and later in the game, linebacker Tyrel Dodson later stripped quarterback Justin Fields, with Jaelan Phillips recovering.
Those plays helped the Dolphins jump out to a two-score lead.
Jets kicker Nick Folk kept New York in range, drilling two field goals from 50 yards or longer, including a 58-yarder in the first half to cut the margin to 10-3. He added another 50-yarder in the fourth quarter to trim Miami’s lead to 24-13.
Riley Patterson answered with his own 36-yard field goal for the Dolphins, stretching the cushion to 27-13 with just over 3:30 remaining. in the third quarter but the Jets refused to go down without a fight.
Fields connected with receiver Garrett Wilson on a 23-yard highlight reel touchdown and then ran in the two-point conversion himself, slicing the deficit to 27-21 with just over two minutes left.
The Dolphins won with style Monday night, taking the field in their new “Dark Waters” uniforms. The alternate look, featuring black jerseys with aqua and orange accents, was introduced as part of the NFL’s “Rivalries” program, which highlights marquee matchups throughout the season.
By the numbers
The Dolphins finished with 404 total yards compared to 300 for the Jets. Miami did not commit a turnover, while the Jets gave it away three times.
Tua Tagovailoa went 17 of 25 for 177 yards and two touchdowns, avoiding an interception for the first time this season.
De’Von Achane carried 20 times for a game-high 99 yards and a touchdown. Hill had a team-high six catches for 67 yards before leaving with his injury.
For the Jets, Fields and Breece Hall each rushed for 81 yards as New York piled up a season-high 197 rushing yards, averaging seven yards per carry.
Wilson led all receivers with 82 yards on six catches, including the highlight-reel touchdown late in the fourth. Tight end Mason Taylor, the son of Dolphins legend and Hall-of-famer Jason Taylor, added a career-high five receptions for 65 yards.
Waller, in his Dolphins debut, finished with three catches for 27 yards and two scores.
New York was penalized 13 times for 101 yards, compared to six penalties for 40 yards against Miami. The Dolphins converted 23 first downs to the Jets’ 19.
What’s next
The Dolphins (1-3) will face the Carolina Panthers on Sunday at Bank of America Stadium. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. The Jets (0-4) return home to host the Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium, also at 1 p.m.
Still, Hill’s status loomed as the biggest storyline of the night. The All-Pro receiver entered the game leading Miami in receptions and yards, and his absence would be a major blow to the Dolphins’ offense moving forward.
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