AP Photo: Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) celebrates a touchdown run during the second half of a game against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday in Orchard Park.
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — For Tyreek Hill and the Miami Dolphins, this week has been about balancing his outlook on life with the obligations of being a professional football player.
Hill has become the center of a national debate over excessive police force after a Miami-Dade County police officer pulled him from his sports car, threw him face-first onto the street and handcuffed him during a traffic stop outside the Dolphins’ home stadium.
The incident occurred just hours before the Dolphins were set to open their season, but Hill later celebrated a score by pretending to be handcuffed and caught an 80-yard touchdown that helped the Dolphins pull off a comeback win over Jacksonville.
He and the Dolphins will need to step up again as the Buffalo Bills come to town, having beaten the Dolphins in 13 of their last 15 meetings.
Hill said he’ll use tonight’s AFC East rival game as therapy. ‘Shocking’ What happened.
“(Football) is an escape for me from a lot of things.” He said. “This allows me to separate myself from past traumas in my life. I don’t want to mix the two.”
Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa acknowledged the importance of the game but didn’t want the team to lose prospects.
“When we ignore that and start thinking that football is the most important thing to us, then we start thinking that this isn’t just something Tyreek went through, this is something that regular people go through. It’s a life thing.” Tagovailoa said.
The Bills haven’t struggled much against their rivals in recent years, with Buffalo averaging 31.7 points against Miami since Sean McDermott’s first season at the helm in 2017.
Quarterback Josh Allen is a five-time AFC Player of the Week after playing against the Dolphins, who went 11-2 and threw 41 touchdowns against Miami.
“We’re just trying to do what we do.” McDermott said. “Some teams have won. Some teams haven’t won. We’re just trying to win one at a time. Those games don’t affect this game at all.”
Allen’s health will be a big factor in continuing the Bills’ trend of success in Miami.
Allen injured his hand when he appeared to land on his non-throwing left hand after leaping over Cardinals safety Budda Baker for a 6-yard touchdown in the season opener. Allen was evaluated by team medical staff on the sideline and had his hand heavily bandaged before returning to finish the game.
Allen practiced this week wearing gloves to protect his hand and said it felt fine, but when asked if he was experiencing any discomfort he said: “We try to make it as comfortable as possible.”
The player said he sometimes wears gloves during cold-weather games but hasn’t yet decided whether to wear them today.
“I felt like I pitched well today and did everything I needed to do.” Allen said. “Then we’re ready to go.”
Praise for Poirier
McDermott and Allen both praised former Bills safety Jordan Poyer, who was released in March after seven seasons in Buffalo and signed with Miami. Poyer and Micah Hyde, who is unsigned and considering retirement, formed Buffalo’s starting safety duo for seven consecutive seasons.
McDermott recalled the two-day drive to Kansas City for a game two years ago when Poyer, who wasn’t allowed to fly because of a punctured lung but was allowed to play in the game, made the short trip. “I can’t say enough good things about Jordan, I love him.” McDermott said.
“I have a lot of love for him, so it’s going to be fun.” Allen said. “There will be a few friendly jabs but hopefully I won’t let him tackle me. In other words, I don’t want to say that.” he added, referring to the possibility of being fired.
Injured running back
Miami’s running backs are already injured. Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel ruled out Raheem Mostert on Wednesday because of a chest injury. McDaniel said Mostert was hurt early in Sunday’s game but tried to play anyway. He finished with six carries for nine yards and two receptions for 10 yards.
“His injury is not something a lot of people play with.” McDaniel said.
Acchane, who recorded 100 all-purpose yards and one touchdown, is nursing an ankle injury and his participation will likely be decided on game day.
Minor treatment
In body camera footage released Monday evening, Hill can be heard repeatedly yelling that he had just had knee surgery as officers wrestle him to the ground.
The receiver said Wednesday that he had minor stem cell surgery on his knee in Antigua during the offseason. McDaniel said Hill “He’ll be sure to be taken care of.”
“I just had stem cells injected into my body. That’s it. I keep it a secret so not many people know, but that’s it.” Hill said.
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