Jeremy

Hill

If you assumed Hill was already retired, guess again. Despite not taking a regular season snap since 2018, Hill was apparently keeping the door open for a return for the last four seasons, but nothing ever materialized. After rushing for 2,757 yards and 29 touchdowns in his first three seasons with the Bengals, Hill’s final two years in the league were marred with injuries, including a torn ACL that he suffered in Week 1 of 2018 in his lone season with the Patriots. He received several tryouts after that season, and briefly signed with the Raiders in 2020, but never fully bounced back from his injury.

Hill was signed on July 31, so his stint with Gruden was essentially a vacation to Las Vegas. The Raiders running back depth chart is quietly very deep, and there basically was no room for Hill to crack the roster immediately. Hill may land another opportunity with coronavirus likely meaning veterans like Hill will be on-call for spot game-day activations. Hill needs to prove that he’s healthy following an ACL tear.

It’s nearly been a full two years since Hill last took the field for New England. His physical in the coming days will be crucial since, last we heard, he left the Texans’ facility without a contract back in November. It’s another sign Las Vegas’ coaching staff has no interest in using Josh Jacobs on passing-downs, adding further insurance to a backfield that already consists of Jalen Richard, Lynn Bowden, and Devontae Booker. Reminder Jon Gruden also hosted Frank Gore and LeSean McCoy for visits earlier this year. He’s a low-risk, low-upside addition in Las Vegas.

He left without a contract. The Texans have been getting by with a committee of Carlos Hyde and Duke Johnson, but this wouldn’t be a bad landing spot for Hill. Free agent Elijah McGuire also worked out for Houston.

It’s his first workout since being cut by the Patriots. Hill is reportedly back from his torn ACL, but he’s not a lock to get another chance after sitting out an entire season.

Hill made the Patriots’ initial roster last year, but he suffered a torn ACL in the season opener and is still not back to 100 percent, although he hopes he will be cleared soon. “I’m just trying to get healthy and once that happens, I’ll be back,” Hill said. “I’m pretty close. I’m about eight months out of surgery, so hopefully soon.” Hill should draw some interest once he is back to full health.

He will not undergo ACL surgery until early November, however. Hill touched the ball five times in Sunday’s win before going down. He took a helmet to the knee. Hill had also made an impact on special teams before his injury, blocking a punt. His absence will only clarify matters in the Patriots’ backfield until Sony Michel returns, which could be as soon as Week 2. Hill turns 26 next month. He could have enough time to get healthy before training camp next summer. Hill is playing on a one-year deal.

His “official” forty-yard time was announced at 4.66. Many observers in Indy have noted NFL “buzz” about Hill’s build, but he managed just 29 inches in the vertical and ran a relatively slow forty. Glass-half-empty evaluators have likened Hill to Shonn Greene at 6-foot-1, 233 with very little receiving production. Due to at least two disturbing off-the-field issues, Hill’s draft stock is difficult to peg at this stage.

He’s the biggest tailback in Indy. Hill isn’t remotely ready to play in an NFL passing game and has major off-field concerns, but his body type, physicality, and speed are impressive on tape. NFL Network’s Mike Mayock currently ranks Hill as this year’s No. 2 running back prospect, behind only Carlos Hyde.

The “starter” designation doesn’t mean much in an obvious committee like Cincinnati’s, but it’s an indication the coaching staff is giving Hill the benefit of the doubt after last year’s dismal campaign. Giovani Bernard will remain one of the league’s most heavily-featured third-down backs, but the only thing standing in Hill’s way on early downs is himself.