Amid controversy, Dolphins' Hill addresses where he stands. And injury report

Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill on Friday declined to comment on his estranged wife’s allegations of domestic abuse but said the NFL has not contacted him, as the league begins to investigate the matter.

Amid trade speculation, Hill also reiterated that he’s happy playing for the Dolphins. The team has not been trying to trade him.

Hill spoke for the first time since TMZ, citing sealed records in a divorce filing, reported Monday that Keeta Vaccaro, Hill’s estranged wife, accused Hill of being physically violent toward her on eight separate occasions during their 17-month marriage.

Hill’s lawyer, Julius Collins, said the allegations are untrue and called them an attempt by Vaccaro to “extort a large settlement offer from Mr. Hill, of which we believe Ms. Vaccaro is not entitled in this 17-month marriage.”

Hill declined to comment about the matter.

“My focus is on playing ball and spending time with my kids and doing what I’m best at and providing for my family,” he said at his locker Friday, when asked about outside noise. “All the noise... can only cloud what you’re really trying to get accomplished. For the moment, I’m blessed, proud to be here with these guys. Going to…be a great leader for this team.”

Asked if it’s difficult to focus on football with drama often swirling around him, Hill said: “No. if you know who you truly are and the people around you know who you are, my family, and you put all your faith in God and read the Bible, you will be all right.…. I’m a role model to a lot of people, a mentor to a lot of people. I’ve got to be able to set a great example.”

Vaccaro’s attorney, Evan R. Marks, told the Miami Herald in an email that the statement that his client gave in an amended divorce petition “is Verified — meaning that she has sworn that the allegations contained therein are true and correct.”

Even if there is no criminal investigation, the NFL has the authority — in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement — to independently investigate allegations in a civil matter and discipline Hill under the league’s personal conduct policy. The NFL has begun looking into Vaccaro’s claims.

Any NFL investigation likely would need Vaccaro’s cooperation; Marks declined to respond when asked if Vaccaro plans to cooperate with the league.

If the league decides that discipline for Hill is warranted, there would be a hearing before Sue L. Robinson, a retired Delaware judge who previously was appointed as the league’s disciplinary officer by the NFL and the players’ union. The NFL has the burden of proving that a player violated the Personal Conduct Policy. Here’s how the process would proceed from there.

Asked if he wants to remain a Dolphin, Hill said: “I’m blessed to be here, dawg. I will continue to work my tail off. At this point, whatever happens, happens. I’m happy here. I would love to be here. My family is here. My kids are here. But it is the NFL. Anything can happen.”

Teams that have inquired about trading for Hill have been told that he’s not available, according to an ESPN report. Hill has a base salary of $10 million this season as part of a three-year $90 million extension that he signed 13 months ago. That contract included $65 million in guaranteed money.

On Friday, Hill seemed surprised to learn a fact that has circulated on social media this week — that he hasn’t had a reception exceeding 30 yards since the start of Week 2 last season.

Hill laughed for several seconds when informed of that.

“You trying to piss me off,” he asked, before continuing. “I’m grateful to be here, bruh. I love my job. It will come. It’s going to come. This week, we have a great opportunity to make some plays.”

After catching 119 passes each of his first two seasons with the Dolphins, Hill had 81 last season, and his receiving yardage dropped from a league-high 1,799 in 2023 to 959.

He had four catches for 40 yards in a 33-8 opening loss at Indianapolis, and Tua Tagovailoa threw for only 114 yards, with two interceptions.

Hill was asked if the regression in the team’s passing offense during the past year can be fixed with changes in play-calling or tempo or whether solving it rests solely on the players.

“Our coach is going to call the play, and it’s our job to make it work,” he said. “My dad coached me and always said, ‘If I call a messed up play, you better make it work.’ And we made it work and we didn’t make excuses. It can be the most messed up play against the most messed up look and it’s our job to make it work.”

On Sunday, the Patriots will be without their top cornerback, Christian Gonzalez, who has a hamstring injury.

“They got a bunch of guys who can fill in and make plays,” Hill said. “We have a real good shot at winning this week. Guys attacked the practice field the right way.”

Injury report

For Sunday’s game against the visiting Patriots (1 p.m., CBS 4), the Dolphins ruled out four players on their 53-man roster: Right tackle Austin Jackson (toe), cornerback Storm Duck (ankle), tight end Darren Waller (hip) and defensive tackle Benito Jones (oblique).

Running back Jaylen Wright (knee) and cornerback Ethan Bonner (hamstring) are doubtful. Bonner practiced on Friday for the first time since sustaining a hamstring injury against Detroit on Aug. 16.

Safety Ashtyn Davis (knee) is questionable. Davis, Wright and Bonner were limited in Friday’s practice.

Receiver Jaylen Waddle, who was limited with a shoulder injury this week, has no injury designation and is expected to play on Sunday, Mike McDaniel said.

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