Key Highlights
- Tyreek Hill remains a free agent while recovering from a serious knee injury suffered with the Miami Dolphins in the 2025 season.
- Agent Drew Rosenhaus believes Hill could receive medical clearance within the next few weeks.
- Kansas City acquired Josh Downs from the Indianapolis Colts, potentially reducing the Chiefs’ need to pursue a reunion with Hill.
Tyreek Hill nearing medical clearance for NFL return
Tyreek Hill remains unsigned as he continues rehabilitation from a serious knee injury, but his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, believes the former Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver is getting closer to being medically cleared. Rosenhaus provided the update during an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show on Tuesday.
Rosenhaus said he is continuing to contact NFL teams about signing Hill once doctors approve his return. Hill has not played since suffering the injury against the New York Jets just weeks into the 2025 season, and the 32-year-old cannot resume his career until he receives the necessary medical clearance.
“Right now, I’m still working the phones for Tyreek Hill,” Rosenhaus said. “And as soon as Tyreek is healthy and is cleared medically, I’m letting teams know, ‘Hey, remember, you may not have to trade for a receiver. You could just go sign Tyreek whenever we get that medical clearance.'”
Which we hope will be soon. And at the end of the day, I think Tyreek is close, as we’re looking at him right now. I think he’s going to make a great comeback. “I do think he’s close to getting cleared. He hasn’t been cleared yet, but when we get that okay, I expect him to be playing and making things happen this season.”
Hill’s recovery could take several more weeks
Rosenhaus indicated that Hill’s return may still be several weeks away. He emphasized that neither he nor the team has tried to accelerate the recovery process because of the seriousness of the knee injury. The NFL trade deadline passing on November 10 will not prevent Hill from joining a team as a free agent after he is cleared.
“I do think it’s within the next few weeks,” Rosenhaus said. “And I’ve never pressured Tyreek because it’s a tough injury that he had. And look, we’re still waiting for guys like (Packers OLB) Micah Parsons to come back, and to put things in comparison, you know, Tyreek, he had a tough injury, and he’s still on course, but it is going to be a few weeks.”
Chiefs’ Tyreek Hill reunion becomes less urgent
Kansas City remains a natural potential destination because of Hill’s previous success with the Chiefs and his familiarity with head coach Andy Reid’s offensive system. However, Kansas City addressed its wide receiver needs before the trade deadline by acquiring Josh Downs from the Indianapolis Colts.
The Chiefs sent 2027 fourth- and fifth-round picks to Indianapolis in exchange for Downs and a seventh-round selection. Downs, 25, had recorded 33 receptions for 354 yards and one touchdown through nine games this season, giving quarterback Patrick Mahomes another option in the passing game.
Kansas City had also explored a potential move for Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr., but those efforts were unsuccessful. Hill was considered another possibility, although his lack of medical clearance complicated any potential agreement and contributed to the Chiefs pursuing a different option.
Downs’ arrival could reduce Kansas City’s urgency to sign another receiver. Hill would offer a different dimension to the offense if he returns healthy, but his recovery remains the priority, and there is no guarantee that he will immediately reproduce the level of play he showed with the Chiefs from 2016 through 2023.
Why This Matters
Hill’s medical clearance is the key factor determining when he can resume his NFL career and whether a team can sign him. His free-agent status means interested clubs would not need to complete a trade, but they must first be satisfied that he is ready to play. Kansas City’s acquisition of Josh Downs gives the Chiefs additional receiving depth while Hill’s availability remains uncertain, potentially changing the urgency of any reunion with the former Chiefs star.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tyreek Hill cleared to play?
No. Drew Rosenhaus said Hill has not yet received medical clearance, although he believes the wide receiver is close and could be cleared within the next few weeks.
Which team could sign Tyreek Hill?
Kansas City is an obvious potential destination because of Hill’s history with the Chiefs and his familiarity with Andy Reid’s system. However, the Chiefs acquired Josh Downs from the Indianapolis Colts before the trade deadline, which could reduce their need to pursue Hill.
Why has Tyreek Hill not played this season?
Hill has been sidelined since suffering a serious knee injury against the New York Jets while playing for the Miami Dolphins. He must receive medical approval before returning to the field.
