Taysom Hill has been a feature of the New Orleans Saints’ offense since coming into the league as an undrafted free agent in 2017. One of the most versatile players in the league, Hill is listed as a tight end on the Saints’ depth chart, but he has been a jack-of-all-trades during his NFL career due to his ability to pass, catch, and run the football.
Last season, however, Hill suffered a devastating setback: a knee injury involving five torn ligaments. He hasn’t taken the field since, but is back to practicing, and there are chances he may make a return on Sunday against the New York Giants.
Taysom Hill Injury Update and Status for Week 5
Hill suffered the injury in a Week 13 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams last season. What was first believed to be a standard ACL tear turned out to be far more severe.
Hill later revealed that, in addition to the ACL, all four ligaments of his posterolateral corner (PLC) were torn and required surgical repair. It’s a rare and devastating combination of injuries, though, given Hill’s physical, all-purpose style of play, perhaps not entirely surprising.
Hill returned to practice this week as a limited participant, but he remains listed as questionable for Sunday’s matchup with the Giants. The Saints are expected to wait until the last minute before making a final decision on his availability.
After months of rehab and three straight days of practice, Hill said his knee now feels “super stable.” For him, the possibility of stepping back onto the field carries deep personal meaning.
“It’s an emotional thing,” said Hill. “It’s one that you’re filled with gratitude. And a lot of people have been really involved with this process. So if you take a step back and you think about all those people and the experiences that you had along the way, it’s one that fills me with gratitude.”
Hill’s return could not come at a better time for a struggling New Orleans offense that could certainly use a spark. The Saints sit at 0-4 to start the season and are in 4th place in the NFC South. Their 16.5 points per game are the fifth fewest in the NFL, ahead of only the Houston Texans, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, and Tennessee Titans.
For his career, Hill has carried the ball 437 times for 2,437 yards and 33 touchdowns, while chipping in 99 receptions for 943 yards and 11 touchdowns. He has also completed 63.9 % of his passes for 2,369 yards, 11 touchdowns, and nine interceptions.
