The Las Vegas Raiders brought in former Cincinnati Bengal and New England Patriot running back Jeremy Hill. While a deal has not yet been finalized, it is pending a physical.
The #Raiders hosted free agent RB Jeremy Hill today and plan to sign him a contract, source said. A deal is pending his physical and his COVID-19 test. The former #Patriots and #Bengals RB last played in 2018, and would be a low-risk add.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 31, 2020
NFL Network reporter Ian Rapoport broke the news on twitter early Friday afternoon. It is an interesting move to say the least. Jeremy Hill is 6-foot-1, 230 pounds, 27 years old, and last played in 2018 for the Patriots, before suffering a heinous multi-ligament knee injury.
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Here comes the hammer for the Raiders
In Jon Gruden’s most recent press conference, he pointed his finger at a lack of conversion in short yardage situations. Josh Jacobs is a beast and one of the most elusive players at his position in the NFL. However, to best take advantage of all his abilities, the Raiders need a hammer. Hill has scored 29 touchdowns in 55 games, racking up 2,898 yards on 708 carries while averaging 4.1 yards per carry.
Yesterday Jon Gruden talked about improving the #Raiders goal-line offense, inside the 1.
Today, the #Raiders signed Jeremy Hill (h/t @RapSheet), who's 6'1" and was about 230 pounds last time he played.
Connect the dots.
— Maurice Moton (@MoeMoton) July 31, 2020
To be clear, Hill is getting an opportunity to make the team. At best, he can contribute to the backfield rotation and be the thunder to Jacobs lightning. Should Hill make the team, and the season start on time, Week One would mark nearly two years since he last saw the field.
Since Gruden spoke to the media under the belief they had no one on the COVID-19 list, running back Devontae Booker was named in NFL transactions. Being on the list can mean testing positive or simply being in contact with someone that has the virus.
— Jerry McDonald (@Jerrymcd) July 30, 2020
Devontae Booker is first on the list
The Raiders made the move corresponding when they placed Devontae Booker on the IR/Covid-19 list. Booker tested negative through the first wave of testing, but was flagged for a positive test in the second. It is not clear whether he tested positive or was exposed to it. In any case, prayers up to Booker. Meanwhile, the show must go on and the Raiders need to provide Jacobs with a supplementary sidekick. Hill can accomplish precisely that.
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