Tyreek Hill - Pro Football Rumors

West Notes: Hill, Wilson, Henderson

June 27th, 2019 at 8:50pm CST by Rory Parks

Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill had an eight-hour meeting with NFL Special Counsel for Investigations Lisa Friel yesterday, and while the league reportedly has no timetable for the conclusion of its investigation, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk suggests a decision should be coming sooner rather than later. In defending the delayed interview of former Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt, the league said that it waits to interview the player until the rest of its investigation has concluded, so since Hill has now been interviewed, it’s fair to assume that the process is drawing to a close. But NFL disciplinary matters never seem to go smoothly, and the league could say that Hill’s conversation with Hill requires follow-up work, so it may be awhile before Hill hears his fate.

Now for more from the league’s west divisions:

Cardinals tight end Caleb Wilson, whom the club selected in the seventh round of this year’s draft, actually committed to play quarterback at Old Dominion. But he knew that his path to a pro career would not be as a QB, so he walked on as a tight end at USC and eventually transferred to UCLA. As a late-round draft choice, he needs to impress right away, and Kyle Odegard of the team’s official website says that Wilson is doing just that. New HC Kliff Kingsbury‘s spread offense emphasizes a TE’s receiving ability, and Kingsbury has praised Wilson’s route-running and hands. Wilson may be the fourth tight end on the depth chart right now, but it’s a fairly thin group, so he should have a chance to stick.
Vinny Bonsignore and Rich Hammond of The Athletic discussed which of the Rams‘ rookies would have the most impact on the team’s fortunes this year, and both agree that third-round RB Darrell Henderson is likely to be that guy. Henderson, a running back from Memphis, was a collegiate stud in 2018, and while LA has been adamant that its selection of Henderson has nothing to do with Todd Gurley ‘s balky knee, it’s not difficult to envision Henderson being a key component of the Rams’ offense in 2019.
Vic Tafur of The Athletic examines former Spring League standout Paul Butler‘s chocolate milk-fueled journey to the thick of the Raiders‘ TE depth chart, and though Butler still faces something of an uphill battle to make the club, he has a real shot. He performed well in OTAs and minicamp, and Oakland clearly thinks highly of him, as they promoted him from the practice squad late last year to prevent the Lions from poaching him. There are six TEs battling for four roster spots, but Butler’s blend of size and receiving ability give him a chance to make the 53-man roster.
Today, we added two more entries to our Extension Candidate series: Rams CB Marcus Peters (link) and Seahawks LB Bobby Wagner (link).

Tyreek Hill Expected To Attend Training Camp

June 26th, 2019 at 9:45pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Fresh off Wednesday’s meeting with the NFL, Tyreek Hill is expected to attend training camp next month barring an “significant development” in the ongoing investigation surrounding child abuse allegations levied at the Chiefs wide receiver, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com.

Hill sat down with NFL Special Counsel for Investigations Lisa Friel today in a meeting that lasted eight hours, reports Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk. The NFL is investigating child abuse accusations against Hill after the pass-catcher’s three-year-old son suffered a broken arm. Authorities have determined that neither Hill nor his fiance broke the boy’s arm, but there’s been some dispute as to whether a legal investigation is still ongoing.

In addition to being accused of physical abuse, Hill was also caught on audio threatening his fiance, indicating that she should be “terrified” of him. Even if Hill isn’t formally charged with a crime as a result of this episode, the NFL can still levy its own punishment under the league’s personal conduct policy.

The NFL has no timetable for the conclusion of its investigation, per Rapoport. Chiefs training camp opens on July 26.

Latest On Chiefs, Tyreek Hill

June 26th, 2019 at 10:52am CST by Zachary Links

The Tyreek Hill investigation will take a major step forward on Wednesday. The Chiefs’ wide receiver will meet with NFL Special Counsel for Investigations Lisa Friel on Wednesday, according to Mike Florio of PFT.

The NFL-Hill meeting has been in the works for some time, with word coming on Monday that the sit-down would occur sometime this week. Florio hears that there is expected to be just one interview of the wide receiver, though he’ll have to travel to New York to meet with Roger Goodell if the league determines that punishment is warranted.

Given the child abuse accusations levied against Hill and the damning audio that seems to support those accusations, it seems likely that Hill will be suspended and fined by the NFL. At this point, the only question may be whether Hill will be able to take the field at all in 2019.

Hill has been accused of hurting his three-year-old son, which is especially disturbing given his history of domestic violence against partner Crystal Espinal. While in college, Hill pleaded guilty to choking and beating Espinal, who was pregnant at the time.

Hill did not serve jail time for that incident in college and prosecutors have declined to pursue charges in connection with the alleged abuse of his son. Still, the NFL’s personal conduct policy allows for punishment even when the courts do not bring charges, and it also allows for pre-NFL events to be taken into consideration.

AFC Notes: Hill, Funchess, Ravens, Jets

June 24th, 2019 at 9:37pm CST by Sam Robinson

In May, Roger Goodell said the NFL would not interfere with the Kansas Department for Children and Families’ Tyreek Hill investigation, indicating the league would interview the Chiefs wide receiver “whenever we have permission to.” It is unclear if the Kansas DCF’s investigation has concluded, but if it has not, the news about NFL investigators meeting with Hill represents a reversal and, per Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, perhaps an acknowledgement by the league something needs to transpire on this front by the time the Chiefs report to training camp July 23. While the investigation is likely covering the bruises and welts that appeared on the body of Hill’s 3-year-old son, Florio notes Hill’s history of violence, and the comment his fiance needing to worry about more possible violence, will almost certainly result in a Hill suspension. Ravens cornerback Jimmy Smith was suspended four games in 2018 for threatening and the mother of his child and “engaging in emotional abuse.” With audio evidence having surfaced in this case, and Hill not being punished for his admitted 2014 violence against Crystal Espinal, that would seem to be the baseline for his potential punishment.

Here is the latest out of the AFC:

John Harbaugh has committed to Patrick Onwuasor returning as a starting linebacker for a revamped Ravens defense, but the 12th-year HC has not made a decision on C.J. Mosley‘s successor. While former UDFA Chris Board has impressed, Harbaugh indicated a committee is the likely post-Mosley plan. Harbaugh said (via Ryan Mink of BaltimoreRavens.com) Board will probably join 2018 fourth-rounder Kenny Young and hybrid safety Anthony Levine alongside Onwuasor in sub-packages. Young led the trio with 381 linebacker snaps last season; Board played just 21.
Onwuasor may be the best bet for the young defender who signs a Ravens extension, per Jeff Zreibec of The Athletic (subscription required). With emerging sack artist Matt Judon perhaps in line to continue a trend of edge rushers pricing themselves out of Baltimore and nose tackle Michael Pierce coming to Ravens minicamp at least 25 pounds overweight, in Zreibec’s view, the Ravens preventing their top inside linebacker from following Mosley out of Maryland seems logical. A former UDFA, Onwuasor has started 26 games. He graded as Pro Football Focus’ No. 40 linebacker last season.
Devin Funchess has put together an inconsistent career thus far and went through most of the Colts‘ offseason program without working with Andrew Luck, who was sidelined with a strained calf. But Frank Reich said (via Kevin Bowen of 107.5 The Fan) he is “very encouraged” by Funchess’ route-running, for a player his size, and his overall progress in his system. Reich lobbied early for Funchess in March, and the former Panthers target will almost certainly play a big role for the Colts this season.
Another AFC free agent signing, Brian Poole, looks aimed toward a big role in his first AFC season. The Jets have used the former Falcons slot cornerback both inside and outside this offseason, Brian Costello of the New York Post notes. Gang Green did not bring in a proven outside starter opposite Trumaine Johnson, and Morris Claiborne remains a free agent. While another corner will have to step up to join the duo in nickel sets, Poole appears set for a steady gig in New York.

Tyreek Hill To Meet With NFL This Week

June 24th, 2019 at 4:44pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Tyreek Hill saga will enter a crucial stretch. The embattled Chiefs wide receiver will meet with NFL investigators this week, Terez Paylor of Yahoo.com reports. Hill’s legal team is expected to join him at these meetings, Paylor reports.

The league will conduct multiple interviews with Hill, Kevin Kietzman of WHB 810 reports. The summits will take place in Kansas City, and Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reports the first will commence Wednesday (Twitter link).

Hill remains barred from Chiefs offseason activities. He is no longer facing criminal charges for the alleged incident that ended with his son suffering a broken arm, but the Kansas Department for Children and Families is still looking into the matter. As the Roger Goodell era has repeatedly shown, the league does not require a criminal charge or conviction to suspend a player. And with Hill having a violent past, these proceedings will be critical for his NFL future.

While no longer being investigated for alleged involvement in his son’s broken arm, the prospect of Hill having struck his child could pose a significant problem for the 25-year-old wideout. The potential crime Johnson County (Kan.) District Attorney Steve Howe was believed to be referring to was the welts and bruises on the body of Hill and his fiance’s 3-year-old son. The league’s investigation uncovering more on this front could mean either a lengthy suspension and/or the Chiefs having to move on from another core member of their offense.

Hill and Crystal Espinal’s son was removed from their custody this year. An audio tape released in April included dialogue about Hill physically disciplining his son, after which Hill was heard saying Espinal needed to be “terrified” of him. A subsequent text exchange, in which Hill denied the abuse allegations, placed blame on Espinal. Hill’s fiance is the same woman the wide receiver pleaded guilty to choking and punching in 2014, when she was pregnant with the couple’s son. Since that incident occurred before Hill entered the league, he did not face NFL discipline for it.

The NFL taking the step to meet with the two-time All-Pro means a resolution may now be in sight. Hill was banned from Chiefs OTAs and minicamp but, unlike Kareem Hunt, has remained a Chief through this off-field drama. The Chiefs seemingly prepared for at least the prospect of a Hill suspension, having used their first 2019 draft pick on Georgia wide receiver Mecole Hardman. But at this point it remains unclear if Hill will begin this season with a significant ban or face the prospect of his promising Chiefs tenure coming to a close.

Latest On Chiefs WR Tyreek Hill

June 10th, 2019 at 5:06pm CST by Rory Parks

Investigators have determined that the broken arm suffered by the three-year-old son of Chiefs star wideout Tyreek Hill was an accident and was not the result of abuse at the hands of Hill or the child’s mother, Crystal Espinal, as Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk (citing Kevin Kietzman of 810WHB.com) writes. Despite that, and despite the fact that there is no active criminal investigation of the matter, Hill is not out of the woods.

While most assumed the crime that Johnson County DA Steve Howe was referring to when he said he believed a crime had been committed against the child pertained to the broken arm, that was not the case. Instead, as Kietzman reports, the crime pertained to the welts and bruises that Overland Park police found on the child’s body. Investigators determined early on in the process that the broken arm was an accident, but the welts and bruises are evidence of criminal abuse. The problem is that, although both Hill and Espinal have admitted to spanking their son with their hands and a belt, prosecutors cannot determine which parent, or if both, caused the welts and bruises.

This report will not change the NFL’s stance on the situation, as the league was already waiting for the Child Protective Services proceeding that resulted in Hill’s son being removed from Hill’s custody to conclude. But although Florio suggested yesterday that the NFL may be trying to brush this matter under the rug, he is singing a bit of a different tune today. Indeed, the portion of Kietzman’s report revealing that Hill admitted to spanking his son with his hands and a belt could make Hill more susceptible to league discipline, and he can also be disciplined for making threats against Espinal and creating an unsafe environment for his child.

Florio’s earlier opinion notwithstanding, it would be very surprising if the league did not take any disciplinary action against Hill, even if he is not charged with a crime. However, it may be awhile before we know for sure. For the time being, Hill is banned from the Chiefs’ facility.

AFC Notes: Hill, Chiefs, Texans, Jets

June 8th, 2019 at 9:41pm CST by Andrew Ortenberg

We got a major development in the Tyreek Hill case yesterday, when it was reported there was no “active investigation” into the Chiefs receiver by law enforcement. It appears that the leaked audio of Hill threatening his fiance wasn’t enough to reopen the case. With the prospect of criminal prosecution looking increasingly unlikely, Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com argues that the league needs to take over the investigation. Florio writes that “signs are emerging that the NFL” plans to “not-so-subtly brush this one under the rug.”

Florio writes that whether Hill is prosecuted or not shouldn’t matter in terms of a potential suspension, saying that the “NFL has created a clear precedent that cries out for action, given aggressively zealous investigations and suspensions of players like Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott.” It’s a fair point, as Elliott was suspended for six games despite prosecutors declining to press charges. Florio doesn’t sound too optimistic about the league pursuing this further, noting the “league at a minimum is floating a trial balloon regarding the possibility that no action of any kind will be taken.” It’ll be very interesting to see what steps Roger Goodell takes next, and how it effects the Chiefs.

Here’s more from around the AFC:

DeAndre Hopkins was clearly banged up at times last season, but the severity wasn’t clear. Speaking to the media on Saturday, the Texans receiver made it clear just how hurt he was, per John McClain of the Houston Chronicle. “It’s the most banged up I’ve ever been playing football. I was dealing with serious injuries a lot of people would have sat down for,” Hopkins said. “I tore ligaments in my shoulder completely off the bone,” during the team’s playoff loss to the Colts, he revealed. “I tried to play even though I had only one arm.” Hopkins is a true warrior, and he’s only missed one game since entering the league in 2013. McClain writes that the Texans’ best player “has been rehabbing during the offseason program and expects to be ready for training camp.” What Hopkins is describing is pretty significant, so hopefully it doesn’t effect him moving forward.
Marcus Maye was the 39th overall pick of the 2017 draft, and he started all 16 games for the Jets as a rookie. Last season was a disappointment though, as he only managed to appear in six games as he dealt with various injuries. He landed on injured reserve with a shoulder injury in December, and he’s still “dealing with the lingering effects” of that injury now, per Ethan Sears of the New York Post. Sears writes that Adam Gase has said they hope to have Maye fully cleared for training camp. Hopefully Maye won’t be rusty, as New York will be counting on him to play a big role.
In case you missed it, the Jets reunited with running back Bilal Powell yesterday.

“No Active Investigation” Against Tyreek Hill

June 7th, 2019 at 11:52am CST by Zachary Links

In April, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said that the criminal case against star receiver Tyreek Hill has been reopened. However, Johnson County DA Steve Howe says that’s not the case, as Brooke Pryor of the Kansas City Star tweets.

Howe previously said that he believed a crime was committed against Hill’s son, but he could not gather enough conclusive evidence to prove who did it. Later, a leaked audio conversation between Hill and his child’s mother seemed to bring some evidence to the forefront, but it’s not quite enough to build the case against the wide receiver.

“It is not an active investigation,” Howe said. “As in any case, if we receive additional evidence we reevaluate.”

While there’s no criminal case against Hill at this time, the Kansas Department for Children and Families is still looking into the matter. NFL discipline seems likely for Hill, but the league office will not act until the KDCF wraps its investigation.

Latest On Chiefs’ Tyreek Hill

May 5th, 2019 at 11:41am CST by Rory Parks

Although Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said that the criminal case against star receiver Tyreek Hill has been reopened, Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network reports that district attorney Stephen Howe has not confirmed that one way or another (video link). Pelissero says that he received an email from Howe indicating that the Johnson County District Attorney’s office has no comment at this time.

Meanwhile, Angie Ricono of KCTV 5 reports that, shortly before Hill’s son was removed from the custody of Hill and fiance Crystal Espinal, Hill called 911 and advised that Espinal was passed out. Hill was living in a hotel at the time due to a no-contact order with the couple’s son, but an alarm was tripped inside Espinal’s home and, through cameras installed in the home, Hill was able to see her on the floor and their son walking around unattended. It is unclear why Espinal was passed out, and the phone call itself is now a part of the ongoing criminal investigation, so it has not been made available to the media.

And the outcome of that criminal investigation is going to be what decides Hill’s NFL future. Charles Robinson of Yahoo! Sports spoke with a number of high-ranking executives from different teams who all expressed their belief that, barring a prosecution revealing guilt, Hill will be on a team in the future (Twitter thread). He is still under contract with the Chiefs, though he is presently banned from team activities.

Even if Kansas City ultimately cuts Hill, one club that won’t be signing him is the Browns. Robinson’s sources say that Cleveland GM John Dorsey has exhausted his political capital in terms of bringing in players with DV in their past, and that he is likely to steer clear of Hill. Robinson adds that, if Hill ever does get a long-term contract offer, it will either have limited guarantees or include a number of mechanisms to claw back money already paid out.

The NFL’s investigation is also ongoing, and the league has yet to comment on the latest developments in this saga.

Chiefs’ Tyreek Hill Denies Abuse Allegations

May 2nd, 2019 at 1:04pm CST by Zachary Links

The latest round of allegations against Chiefs star Tyreek Hill may put his football future in jeopardy. However, in a four-page letter sent to the NFL by his lawyer, the wide receiver strongly refuted the allegations against him.

“[Hill] categorically denies he has ever ‘punched’ his son in the chest or anywhere on his body, or otherwise touched him in the chest in a mean-spirited manner or as a form of discipline,” the attorney wrote (via ESPN.com).

Through his lawyer, Hill denied having any role in his son’s fractured arm. The attorney also noted that the injury to Hill’s three-year-old boy was ruled to be an accident when he was examined at the hospital. Hill’s letter to the league also refuted Crystal Espinal’s recorded allegation that their son is “terrified” of him.

Recently, local investigators closed their investigation into Hill, citing a lack of concrete evidence. However, damning audio of a conversation between Hill and his child’s mother may have breathed new life into the case. Some reports indicate that the investigation has been re-opened. Meanwhile, Terez A. Paylor of Yahoo Sports (on Twitter) hears that might not be true – at least, not yet.

For now, Hill remains barred from all Chiefs team activities.