Tyreek Hill back at Dolphins practice but still out of his home after fire

MIAMI GARDENS — Receiver Tyreek Hill returned to Dolphins practice Friday, two days after leaving the team to tend to a fire at his home in western Broward County.

Hill left practice Wednesday as soon as he received word of the emergency.

“It was wild,” coach Mike McDaniel said. “You just know that his house is in flames, so immediately (you’re) fearing the worst.”

Firefighters responding to the two-alarm call extinguished the fire, which was contained to one room but caused “significant” roof damage, according to the Davie Fire Department. The cause was a child playing with a lighter.

“He is now dealing with insurance and living in a different spot for the immediate future and all of that,” McDaniel said. “So it's a major stressor, for sure.”

More: Child with lighter accidentally caused fire at house of Dolphins' Tyreek Hill

No one was injured.

“It's not something that you wish upon anyone,” McDaniel said. “It was definitely scary.”

McDaniel added, “Football can kind of give you a brief, however fleeting … removal of everyday life and problems. So I think it's kind of a therapeutic a little bit to be back here. And I know he's happy to be back but he's also very concerned about his family and their comfort level, which is why he has a team of people to assist them.”

Dolphins injury report: Can Xavien Howard, Jaylen Waddle play vs. Bills?

The Dolphins will be without cornerback Xavien Howard for Sunday’s division-title showdown with the Buffalo Bills but are optimistic that receiver Jaylen Waddle, running back Raheem Mostert and guard Rob Hunt can play.

Linebacker Jerome Baker, who last played on Dec. 3 against Washington because of a knee injury, was testing the knee again in practice Friday with hopes of coming off injured reserve. Baker had a good practice Thursday and the team was checking to see how he responded to it Friday.

After Friday's workout, the Dolphins released their injury report with mostly positive news. Baker, Waddle and Mostert were limited in practice but are questionable for Sunday. Other than Howard, who is officially out, no other player has an injury designation, which is especially good news in Hunt's case.

Breaking down the injured players:

Howard suffered a foot injury early in Sunday’s loss in Baltimore and has been unable to practice this week.

Waddle, who missed the Ravens game with an ankle injury, and Mostert, out with knee and ankle injuries last week, used Friday to test their recoveries.

After the workout, Waddle said "there is a chance" he'll play and that he can cut despite the ankle.

"It felt good," Waddle said. "It's always good to go back out there and catch back up with the guys on the field."

With the exception of the Dec. 3 game in Washington, Hunt has largely been out since the Oct. 22 game in Philadelphia because of a serious hamstring injury, which he later aggravated, sidelining him a second time.

McDaniel said Hunt has had a “very good week” of practice and that he’s encouraged his starting right guard could play Sunday. Hunt is well aware the No. 2 seed and a division title could be Miami's.

"That's a big deal, man," he said. "We all know it's a big deal. That definitely fires me up, gets me excited to play this game."

Waddle spoke to reporters wearing a Michigan shirt and cap. Waddle, of course, went to Alabama. But he lost a wager with team Vice Chairman Tom Garfinkel, a Michigan alum, over Monday's national semifinals. This was his punishment.

"Tom G. got me, sadly," Waddle said. " ... Roll, Tide."

The only Bills player with an injury designation is starting center Mitch Morse, who is questionable with an illness.

Bradley Chubb has successful surgery

McDaniel said linebacker Bradley Chubb had successful surgery on his torn ACL, which ended his season.

“Happy that his process has started,” McDaniel said. “It’s a long road, but if there’s anybody built for it, it’s that guy. And he’s been on the forefront of his teammates’ minds all week.”

Here’s motivation to beat Bills, get home game

The forecast next weekend for Kansas City, where the Dolphins could travel to in a wild-card game next weekend:

Saturday: 14-25 degrees

Sunday: 11-26

Monday: 9-23

And snow is possible.

Dolphins reporter Hal Habib can be reached at  hhabib@pbpost.com. Follow him on social media @gunnerhal. Click here to subscribe.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Tyreek Hill returns to Miami Dolphins practice after house fire