Tyreek fires up fantasy managers ahead of Tua's return: 'Start me this week'

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill didn't hide his excitement while addressing quarterback Tua Tagovailoa's potential return from injury this week.

Tagovailoa hasn't played since Week 2 due to a concussion, but the Pro Bowl passer returned to practice Wednesday, putting him in line to play Sunday versus the Arizona Cardinals. Hill - whose production has been limited in recent weeks - had a message for fantasy football managers ahead of the quarterback's return.

"Strike up the f-----g band. We're back, baby," Hill said Wednesday, according to David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel. "Start me this week, baby. Let's go."

After leading the NFL in receiving last year, Hill is off to a slow start by his standards. He hasn't topped 100 yards since Week 1, when he racked up 130 on seven receptions with one touchdown. The eight-time Pro Bowler was particularly quiet in Miami's Week 7 loss to the Indianapolis Colts, finishing the matchup with one catch for 8 yards.

The 2-4 Dolphins - who rank last in points per game in 2024 - started Tyler Huntley (three games) and Skylar Thompson (one) with Tagovailoa sidelined.

Hill is optimistic after practicing with Tagovailoa again Wednesday.

"It felt like old times," Hill said, according to Furones. "Me and him connected. ... I missed that, bro. I missed him. I gotta take him and his wife for dinner because I missed him so much. Shit was so beautiful that it almost made me cry today - just having him lined up, having him call the plays."

The wideout added: "He's a big part of this team. You see why these quarterbacks get paid so much money. Just the respect I have for him. ... We're going to have his back no matter what."

He also highlighted his chemistry with Tagovailoa after finally catching passes from his signal-caller again.

"I just had a big cheese on my face because it felt so good," Hill added.

Tagovailoa and Hill helped Miami build one of the NFL's most prolific offenses in 2023, as the club ranked first and second in total yards and points, respectively. Tagovailoa led the league with 4,624 passing yards while setting a career high with 29 touchdown passes last year.