Former Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill says he still has "no power" in his injured left leg nearly 10 months after suffering a torn ACL and dislocated knee.
Hill, 32, shared an update on his recovery in a YouTube video, saying he has undergone two surgeries since the injury and is still working to rebuild strength in his leg.
"So it's about 10 months after doing two surgeries," Hill said. "My left leg is the one that I injured. I have no power in my left leg at all, so I'm trying to regain all the power back in my left leg."
Despite the lingering weakness, Hill showed himself running in the video, highlighting how far he has come since the injury. He said doctors had warned him that he might not be able to walk again.
"They told me I might not be able to walk again," Hill said. "Now look at me."
A devastating injury with a long road back
Hill suffered the season-ending injury during a Sept. 29 game against the New York Jets. The injury involved an anterior cruciate ligament, or ACL, tear and a dislocated left knee, two serious forms of trauma that can significantly disrupt the structures responsible for stability and movement.
The ACL is a major ligament that connects the thighbone to the shinbone and helps prevent excessive movement of the knee. A tear can cause instability and often requires surgery for athletes seeking to return to high-level competition. A knee dislocation, meanwhile, can involve damage to multiple ligaments and, in severe cases, nearby blood vessels and nerves.
Recovery can vary widely depending on the extent of the damage, the surgeries performed and a person's response to rehabilitation. For elite athletes, returning to competition often involves months of progressive strength training, movement work and sport-specific conditioning.
Why the leg can still feel powerless months later
Hill's struggle to regain power in his injured leg shows the difficulty of restoring the brain, nerve and muscle coordination needed for explosive movement after severe knee trauma.
After surgery and prolonged periods of reduced activity, muscles around the knee and thigh can lose significant strength. This process, known as muscle atrophy, can occur quickly when a limb is not being used normally. Pain, swelling and protective movement patterns can further limit how effectively muscles are activated.
For an athlete known for his elite speed and acceleration, regaining basic strength is only one part of the challenge. Returning to the explosive movements required in professional football requires the injured leg to tolerate sprinting, cutting, sudden stops and rapid changes in direction.
Running again marks progress, but the NFL remains uncertain
Hill's ability to run represents a significant milestone, but it does not necessarily mean he is ready for professional football.
The former Dolphins star was released by Miami on Feb. 16, leaving his NFL future uncertain. His latest update suggests his focus remains on rehabilitation rather than an immediate return to the field.
Hill's recovery also underscores why a return to elite competition cannot always be predicted by the calendar alone. Two athletes with similar injuries may progress at very different rates depending on the severity of their injuries, surgical outcomes and rehabilitation.
ACL injuries remain a major challenge for athletes
ACL injuries are among the most closely watched injuries in professional sports because of their potential to disrupt an athlete's career. While modern surgery and rehabilitation have helped many athletes return to competition, the process remains demanding.
Hill's case is further complicated by the knee dislocation he suffered alongside the ACL tear. His continued weakness nearly 10 months after the injury shows that recovery from severe knee trauma can extend well beyond the initial surgical procedures.
His next challenge will be determining whether that progress can eventually translate into the strength, speed, and stability needed to compete at the highest level of professional football.
