Free agent running back Jeremy Hill barely logged any time with the Patriots before going down with a torn ACL in Week 1 of the 2018 season, but he says he’s nearly ready to return to the field.
“I think for me coming off a big ACL injury, I’m just doing what I can to get back to 100%,” Hill said, per Herbie Teope of the Advocate. “I know there’s going to be a job waiting on me when I get cleared, so that’s all I’m doing now. I’m just trying to get healthy and once that happens, I’ll be back. I’m pretty close. I’m about eight months out of surgery, so hopefully soon.”
Hill, now 26, enjoyed several seasons as the Bengals’ main ball-carrier 2014 to 2016, averaging 222 carries, 919 yards, and 10 touchdowns during that time. 2014 and 2015, notably, were especially productive campaigns for Hill, as he ranked as a top-12 back in Football Outsiders’ success rate metric in both seasons.
Hill was Cincinnati’s nominal starter in 2017 even after the club used a second-round pick on Joe Mixon, but Hill went down with a ankle injury in November and was subsequently placed on injured reserve. He inked a one-year, $1.5MM deal with New England and was listed as the team’s third running back, but the aforementioned ACL injury ended his season.
With training camp fast approaching, Hill remains on the open market alongside fellow free agent backs Jay Ajayi, LeGarrette Blount, Corey Grant, and Chris Ivory, among others.
Hill did not look as good the last couple of years, and his penchant for fumbling hasn’t gone away either. He’s not going to have a roster spot handed to him wherever he ends up. Teams are going to want to see health, a commitment to holding on to the ball, and maybe to see if he’s lost a step. And I honestly can’t think of too many teams who would take him right now, although I’m sure some possibilities will open up once injuries hit it training camps.
I’d be shocked to see Ajayi available before the end of preseason.
Bum