Dolphins’ Hill dishes on reasons for record receiving pace. And injury news, roster moves

In his short time as a Dolphin, Tyreek Hill has adamantly answered any questions about whether he would produce as prodigiously without four-time Pro Bowler and 2018 MVP Patrick Mahomes throwing to him.

Hill not only has maintained his elite production; he actually has raised it to an even higher level.

Hill leads the NFL with 701 yards - 45 yards more than Buffalo’s Stefon Diggs, who’s No. 2 - and is now on pace for 1,986 yards, which would break Calvin Johnson’s single-season record of 1,964 in 2012. Johnson achieved his mark in a 16-game season, one less than teams now play.

Mark Clayton holds the Dolphins passing yardage record in a season, with 1,389 in 1984, and Hill is on pace to obliterate that record.

Would breaking the NFL record be meaningful to him?

“For sure, it will,” he said Wednesday. “It would make me feel really good to do something like that, just the magnitude of that, a fifth-round draft pick. A lot of people labeled me a return specialist, not being your traditional wide receiver. The magnitude of it speaks volumes. If I break it, I would be grateful for the opportunity, grateful for what God blessed me with and.. would hope to break it again.. if I do.”

Nobody obviously views him as a return specialist any longer, but “if a person sees me as a return specialist, maybe they need to go get their eyes checked or something.”

Even beyond the yardage numbers, Hill is on pace to catch 141 passes, which would easily surpass his career high of 111, set last season.

So how do you explain his numbers getting even better after leaving Kansas City’s elite offense?

Hill credits Tua Tagovailoa, Mike McDaniel and receivers coach Wes Welker - as well as his own commitment to improving his craft.

“This is the year I finally had time to home in on my career and focus solely on football,” he said. “Previous years, I came from a great system [in Kansas City], great quarterback [Mahomes], great head coach [Andy Reid]. This is the year I fully understand the game and understand where to be on the field.

“When I got here, the biggest thing was being able to catch the ball with my hands. I’ve always had great hands. When I got here, Wes Welker was hard on me this offseason, coach McDaniel was hard on me, saying ‘Reek, if you’re able to catch the ball with your hands -- just run, stay on the route, catch the ball with your hands and [your] game will go [through] the roof.’ This year, I’ve been able to transition with the ball in my hands, make a few plays. I’ve been working on it a lot.”

Last season, Hill was 99th in average yards after catch at 4.3 per reception. This season, he’s 55th at 5.2.

“Wes is a great coach,” Hill said. “I view him as a Hall of Fame player and also as a Hall of Fame coach. The level of intensity he brings every practice [stands out]. No matter who you are, no matter how big [your] bank account is, he’s always going to hold you accountable.”

Hill is the first player in NFL history with at least 10 catches and 150 receiving yards in three of his team’s first six games of a season.

“I’m trying to build a dynasty of who I am as a player and who my family is,” he said. “My parents raised no softie.”

Hill said: “The better you do, the more haters you’re going to have. They’re probably going to have even more things to say about the player I am like [such as] ‘oh he’s just a deep threat. He’s only doing that because of the amount of targets he’s getting.’ People are always going to find small things to say.”

The Dolphins agreed to give Hill a four-year, $120 million extension before trading for him in April. Is living up to the contract fueling him?

“Not at all,” he said. “”I don’t believe in pressure at all. I look at this as another opportunity to go outside and have fun at recess with all my friends. I have an opportunity to play against some of the greatest athletes in the world and showcase my talents. For me, it’s easy because I have a great quarterback, great head coach, and I’m in a great organization.

“For me, it’s like going in a store, buying a Snickers bar and just walking out. A lot of people give me credit for what I do because I’m fast but you think about it, it’s also the scheme I’m in. I’m so open all the time.”

Hill addressed a couple of other issues:

▪ On Tagovailoa’s return to the lineup this week: “Having Tua will put us in the right direction. His leadership, his mentality, his whole approach to the game is on a different level. I felt the energy today in the walkthrough.”

▪ On the curious case of the ping pong table, which was removed from the locker room last week (Mike McDaniel said Hill and other captains wanted the players to focus on preparation), but is now set to return:

Hill confirmed Andy Slater’s report that he purchased a new table on Tuesday.

With tongue apparently in cheek, Hill said: “I was so bad at ping pong, I was losing to everybody at ping pong. I was 10th worst player on the team. Raheem Mostert, the quarterbacks were beating me. I want to be the best at everything I do. I took it out of here, I went and bought one for my house to practice. When I’m good I’ll bring it back” to the locker room.

ROSTER MOVES, INJURY NEWS

The Dolphins put defensive lineman/linebacker Trey Flowers (foot) and cornerback Nik Needham (Achilles injury) on injured reserve. Needham won’t play again this season; it’s unclear if Flowers will.

Two spots on the 53-man roster are now open. The Dolphins could elevate veteran tackle Brandon Shell from the practice squad again on Sunday or move him to the 53-man roster.

Shell started at right tackle against the Vikings on Sunday and according to Pro Football Focus, graded out much better than Greg Little, who started at left tackle after starting at right tackle the previous four games.

Opening day starting right tackle Austin Jackson, who’s eligible to come off injured reserve, has missed five games with an ankle injury and didn’t practice on Wednesday.

Starting left tackle Terron Armstead, who missed last Sunday’s game and most of the previous one, didn’t practice Wednesday and hasn’t practiced in more than a month.

And while McDaniel suggested on Monday that Armstead’s toe injury benefited by Armstead not playing against Minnesota, it’s unclear if he will play on Sunday against visiting Pittsburgh (8:20 p.m., NBC).

Besides Armstead, four others missed practice on Wednesday: Melvin Ingram (veteran’s rest day), Keion Crossen (knee), Emmanuel Ogbah (back) and Christian Wilkins (hand).

Eight were limited on Wednesday: Jaylen Waddle (shoulder), Jerome Baker (hip), Kader Kohou (oblique), Durham Smythe (hamstring), Raheem Mostert (knee), Xavien Howard (veteran’s rest day), Zach Sieler (hand) and Skylar Thompson (thumb).

McDaniel said he’s optimistic about Waddle being able to play on Sunday.

With Kohou limited and Crossen sidelined, the Dolphins have only three healthy cornerbacks: Xavien Howard, Noah Igbonighene and Justin Bethel. Crossen said he will be re-evaluated later in the week and will play Sunday if he’s able.

Meanwhile, Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett - who had been in concussion protocol - practiced fully on Wednesday and is in line to start against the Dolphins on Sunday night.