BREAKING NEWS: 49ers Head Coach Kyle Shanahan Has 7 Words to Say About the Jets Player Who Caused the Horrific Injury Dolphins’ Tyreek Hill Suffered
The NFL community was shaken to its core on Sunday after one of the league’s brightest stars, Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill, suffered a devastating broken leg during a matchup against the New York Jets. Known for his blazing speed and game-changing ability, Hill went down in the second quarter after a violent collision with Jets cornerback Marcus Davenport. The incident has not only sparked outrage among Dolphins fans but has also sent ripples across the league, prompting reactions from players, analysts, and coaches alike.
Among those voices was San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan, who delivered a blunt, seven-word reaction when asked about the play that sidelined Hill. Shanahan, never one to mince words, simply said: “That hit should never have happened.”
Those seven words echoed throughout the football world, encapsulating the frustration many feel about the way Hill’s injury unfolded. For Shanahan, a coach whose team has dealt with its own share of brutal injuries in recent seasons, the message was clear: the NFL must do more to protect its stars from unnecessary harm.
The Play That Changed Everything
The injury occurred midway through the second quarter with Miami holding a slight lead. Hill, lined up in the slot, caught a quick slant pass from quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. As he accelerated into open space, Davenport closed in with a low, diving tackle that clipped Hill’s planted leg at an awkward angle.
The stadium fell silent as Hill writhed in pain, clutching his lower leg. Medical staff rushed onto the field, and after several tense minutes, he was carted off while teammates surrounded him in support. Early reports confirmed a broken leg, an injury expected to sideline Hill for the remainder of the 2025 season, with potential implications for his career trajectory.
Shanahan’s Perspective
While Shanahan’s 49ers weren’t directly involved, his words carried weight. Over the years, his team has endured injuries to stars like Nick Bosa, Deebo Samuel, and Christian McCaffrey, leaving Shanahan all too familiar with how one play can alter the fate of a season.
“Football is a violent game,” he later elaborated, “but there’s a line between a clean tackle and something reckless. Losing a guy like Tyreek Hill isn’t just bad for the Dolphins — it’s bad for the league. Fans pay to see stars. And when those stars are taken out by plays that could’ve been avoided, we all lose.”
Backlash Against the Jets
Almost immediately after the play, fingers pointed at Davenport and the Jets coaching staff. Critics argued that the cornerback went too low and recklessly targeted Hill’s legs rather than making a standard wrap-up tackle. Social media erupted, with fans calling for fines, suspensions, and even questioning whether such hits should be classified as intentional attempts to injure.
Jets head coach Robert Saleh defended his player, stating that “football is a contact sport, and Marcus was just trying to make a play.” However, the NFL’s disciplinary office is expected to review the incident closely, and a decision on potential punishment could come as soon as this week.
The Bigger Picture
Tyreek Hill’s injury is more than just a single moment in a single game. For the Dolphins, it represents a catastrophic blow to their Super Bowl aspirations. Hill was on pace for another Pro Bowl-caliber season, leading the league in yards after catch and remaining Miami’s most dangerous offensive weapon.
For the NFL, it reignites the debate about player safety — particularly around low tackles and hits to the legs. The league has already made significant rule changes to protect quarterbacks and defenseless receivers, but star players like Hill remain vulnerable to injuries that can derail entire franchises.
Shanahan’s seven words reflect a sentiment that many across the league share: there must be a renewed emphasis on reducing reckless play, even if it means altering defensive strategies or increasing penalties for certain kinds of tackles.
Moving Forward
As Hill begins what will likely be a long and grueling recovery, the Dolphins must regroup and find ways to adjust offensively. For Shanahan and the 49ers, the moment serves as another stark reminder of football’s physical toll.
“Every time something like this happens,” Shanahan concluded, “it should push us to make the game safer without losing what makes it great. We owe that to the players, to the teams, and to the fans.”
Seven words, but a powerful message: “That hit should never have happened.”
In the end, Shanahan’s reaction transcends team loyalty or rivalry. It’s a call for accountability, a plea for protecting the league’s brightest talents, and a reminder that behind every dazzling highlight is an athlete risking everything on every play.
