# Is Tyreek Hill Done? What His Release and Second Knee Surgery Mean for Fantasy Football in 2026 The fastest man in NFL history just hit the wall — and fantasy managers need to act now.
Tyreek Hill is officially a free agent after the Miami Dolphins released him this week. But the bigger bombshell came when Hill revealed on his Twitch stream that he needs a *second* surgery on his left knee — the same one that suffered an ACL tear back in September 2025. At 32 years old with compounding knee issues, the question isn't where Hill lands. It's whether he's still a fantasy-relevant asset at all.
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The Injury Timeline Is Brutal
Let's be real about what we're dealing with. Hill tore his ACL in September 2025, ending his season. Now, months later, he needs additional surgery on the same knee. For a player whose entire value proposition is elite speed and separation, a second procedure on a surgically-repaired ACL is a red flag you can see from orbit.
Hill will be 32 when the 2026 season kicks off. History is not kind to wide receivers recovering from ACL tears in their 30s, and a second surgery adds months to an already uncertain rehab timeline. Dynasty managers who haven't sold yet are running out of runway.
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Where Could He Land?
Multiple reports have identified four potential landing spots, with Pittsburgh among the most intriguing. The Steelers just hired Mike McCarthy as head coach after the stunning departure of Mike Tomlin, and their QB situation remains fluid — Will Howard or possibly Aaron Rodgers.
But here's the thing fantasy managers need to internalize: landing spot matters far less than health for Hill at this stage. Even if he signs with a contender, the second surgery means he's unlikely to be a full participant in training camp, and a slow start for a 32-year-old coming off two knee procedures is the most probable outcome.
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The De'Von Achane Ripple Effect
Hill's departure from Miami has a clear winner: De'Von Achane. Our current rankings have Achane at RB4 with an ADP of 8, and that number could climb.
With Hill gone, Achane becomes the undisputed focal point of Miami's offense. His target share — already elite for a running back — should expand further. The Dolphins are showing signs of a broader teardown: they're shopping safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, Tua Tagovailoa was benched with three games remaining in 2025 (career-low 37.6 QBR, 15 interceptions), and the organization appears to be resetting.
In that environment, Achane is the one asset worth holding. He's young, explosive, and about to inherit even more volume.
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Dynasty Sell Window: It's Now or Never
If you're in a dynasty league and you still roster Tyreek Hill, the sell window is closing fast. His value will only decrease as more details emerge about the second surgery and his rehab timeline.
The buy-low crowd will argue that Hill's talent transcends the injury risk. And sure, we've seen players defy the odds before. But the intersection of age (32), injury severity (ACL + additional surgery), and positional reliance on speed makes this one of the clearest sells in dynasty right now.
Don't get cute. Move him for whatever you can get — a second-round rookie pick, a younger upside player — and reinvest in the future.
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The Bottom Line
Tyreek Hill's career isn't necessarily over, but his days as a fantasy WR1 almost certainly are. The second knee surgery, his age, and the uncertainty around his next team all point to a player you should be moving away from, not toward.
Meanwhile, keep your eyes on the massive RB free agent class (Breece Hall, Kenneth Walker III, Travis Etienne Jr., Javonte Williams, Rico Dowdle) hitting the market March 9, plus the NFL Combine starting February 26. The offseason is heating up fast, and the managers who act on information — not hope — are the ones who win leagues.
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