During the New Orleans Saints’ Week 4 loss to the Atlanta Falcons, tight end Taysom Hill scored two rushing touchdowns but also suffered an injury that has sidelined him for the past three weeks. What’s the latest on Hill’s status?
The Latest on Taysom Hill’s Injury
Hill was super efficient in the Saints’ 26-24 loss to the Falcons, turning his six touches into two rushing touchdowns. However, the versatile weapon got hurt on his second score.
Hill left the game holding his chest and did not return, so many assumed that this was a flare-up of the same chest injury that sidelined him in Week 3. However, Saints head coach Dennis Allen revealed postgame that the 34-year-old is dealing with a new rib issue.
Hill has missed New Orleans’ last three games. While he’s been able to get in some limited practices, he was ultimately inactive in Week 7 for the Saints’ loss against the Denver Broncos on Thursday Night Football.
Now, with 10 days between games, it’s possible he’ll be able to return for New Orleans’ Week 8 contest against the Los Angeles Chargers.
The Saints can use all the help they can get, as they are currently extremely short-handed. They are missing multiple key players due to injuries, including Hill (ribs), quarterback Derek Carr (oblique), wide receiver Chris Olave (concussion), wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (knee, on IR), guard Cesar Ruiz (knee), center Erik McCoy (groin), cornerback Marshon Lattimore (hamstring), and cornerback Paulson Adebo (upper leg), among others.
Fantasy Outlook
Hill had his best fantasy performance of the season in Week 4 thanks to his two short rushing touchdowns, but his physical style naturally increases his injury risk, especially as his usage ramps up.
However, even with his physical style of play, it’s worth noting that Hill appeared in 32 of 34 games over the past two seasons, so I’d keep him rostered and hope that he can remain healthy for the rest of the season.
His role inside the 10-yard line is great to see and makes him a luxury stash in most leagues due to the limited upside across the league at the tight end position.
Taysom Hill lines up at QB and gets the @Saints on the board!
📺: #NOvsATL on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/UIAWkBFI1p— NFL (@NFL) September 29, 2024
Right now, the Saints offense is so depleted that there aren’t many fantasy-relevant options to discuss (aside from Alvin Kamara).
Once Chris Olave returns, he’ll be in your starting lineup, but he’s continuing to deal with the concussion that he suffered against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 6. It remains to be seen if he’ll be able to clear the NFL’s concussion protocol this week.
Keep an eye on the Saints’ practice reports to see which players are able to participate this week, and then be sure to check New Orleans’ injury report as their Week 8 game against the Chargers gets a bit closer.