89 Josh Hill TE

Hill announced his retirement Thursday, Chris Burke of The Athletic reports.

Hill spent eight seasons in the NFL and only took the field for the Saints. He signed with the Lions this offseason, but he decided instead to pursue other interests and spend more time with his family. In total, Hill tallied 116 catches for 1,071 yards and 15 touchdowns while serving a versatile role in New Orleans.

Hill signed a contract with the Lions on Saturday, Field Yates of ESPN reports.

It's probably not surprising that head coach Dan Campbell, who previously was the Saints' tight end coach, would bring in one of his former players. Hill will be expected to bring some experience to a tight end corps that features T.J. Hockenson as the eldest statesman after Jesse James was cut earlier in the week.

The Saints released Hill on Wednesday.

After joining the Saints as an undrafted free agent in 2013, he ended up playing in 117 games with 67 starts over eight seasons. After posting career highs in receptions (25) and receiving yards (226) in 2019, Hill took more of a back seat in the passing game this past season, registering only eight receptions for 46 yards in 14 games. The Saints also released Jared Cook on Wednesday, so Adam Trautman, Garrett Griffin and Ethan Wolf are the only tight ends currently under contract for the Saints.

Hill caught eight passes for 46 yards and a touchdown in 2020 over 14 regular-season games.

Hill's eighth season saw him record his fewest receptions and receiving yards since his rookie campaign in 2013. He was used primarily as a blocking tight end, and he was clearly behind Jared Cook and Adam Trautman as a pass-catching option. Even if Cook, who's set to be a free agent in 2021, doesn't return to New Orleans, Hill isn't expected to take on an increased role as a pass catcher. He has little fantasy value, even in deeper formats.

Hill (hand) doesn't carry an injury designation into Sunday's wild-card round matchup with the Bears after practicing fully Friday, Colleen Kane of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Hill logged back-to-back limited sessions to start the week after missing the regular season finale with this injury, but he was able to shed his injury designation with a full session Friday. The backup tight end should take on his usual role Sunday, which consists primarily of blocking, though Hill is capable of chipping in the occasional catch. He had eight receptions and one touchdown in the regular season.

Hill (hand) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Panthers, Katherine Terrell of The Athletic reports.

Hill suffered a hand injury early in the Week 16 win over the Vikings. He was unable to practice all week, so he'll predictably be sidelined in the season finale. Position mates Jared Cook and Adam Trautman should handle their typical workloads, but the Saints may elevate Garrett Griffin or Ethan Wolf from the practice squad to add depth at tight end.

Hill suffered a hand injury in Friday's 52-33 win over the Vikings, Larry Holder of The Athletic reports.

Hill left the game early in the first quarter and was unable to return. The 30-year-old tight end plays a key blocking role in New Orleans' offense. If he is forced to miss any time, the Saints may call up another tight end from the practice squad to serve behind Jared Cook and Adam Trautman.

Hill (concussion) was a full practice participant Wednesday.

It's unclear if Hill has officially cleared the concussion protocol, but the fact he's practicing with no limitations is a sign he's nearing full clearance. The 30-year-old is on track to be available for Week 12.

Hill (concussion) has been ruled out of Sunday's game versus the Falcons, Amie Just of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

Hill suffered a concussion last week against the 49ers and didn't practice at all this week, so he'll remain in the league's five-step concussion protocol. Jared Cook and Adam Trautman are the only healthy tight ends on New Orleans' roster, so they may elevate either Garrett Griffin or Ethan Wolf from the practice squad before Sunday's game. Hill will look to return in Week 12 against the Broncos.

Hill (concussion) did not practice Thursday, Amie Just of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

Hill has yet to resume practicing since he suffered a concussion during the Saints' Week 10 win over the 49ers. The depth tight end will need to fully clear the league's five-step protocol before retaking the field, so it's safe to assume that he's trending in the wrong direction for Sunday's divisional matchup against the Falcons.

Hill (concussion) exited Sunday's game against the 49ers and won't return.

Hill joins an extensive list of Saints to suffer injuries in Sunday's contest, including quarterback Drew Brees (ribs). The backup tight end isn't much of a contributor in the passing game but plays an important role in the rushing attack with his blocking ability. He'll need to clear concussion protocol to play against Atlanta in Week 11.

Hill corralled both of his targets for 14 yards and a touchdown in the Saints' 38-3 win over the Buccaneers on Sunday.

The reception tally was a season high for Hill, who scored his first touchdown of the campaign in the blowout victory. Up 31-0, Hill hauled in a three-yarder midway through the fourth quarter to put the cherry on top of a dominant offensive performance. Unless New Orleans goes up big on San Francisco in Week 10, Hill is unlikely to return much fantasy value even in the deepest of leagues.

Hill hauled in his lone target for a one-yard gain Monday in the Saints' 30-27 overtime win over the Chargers.

Hill has logged either one or two targets in the Saints' four games this season, and his role is unlikely to change as the season progresses. The veteran is valued for his prowess as a run blocker, which may be enough for him to consistently play ahead of Adam Trautman in two-tight end sets, or when starter Jared Cook substitutes out of games.

Hill dressed for practice Friday and got in limited work on the side, Amie Just of Nola.com reports.

It was Hill's second day of this routine, and though he wasn't fully involved, it's a positive step after he missed the Saints' first two days of practice with an undisclosed "tweak." He's expected to serve his usual role as a blocker and occasional pass-catcher in 2020.

Coach Sean Payton said Hill "tweaked" something and was forced to miss practice Monday, Amie Just of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

The specifics of the injury remain unclear, but it appears serious enough to force him out of valuable practice time. The 30-year-old was a solid No. 2 option at tight end behind Jared Cook last season, racking up 25 catches for 226 yards and three scores. Expect the Saints to update Hill's status as needed as they prepare for the 2020 season.

Hill caught two of three targets for three yards in the Saints' 26-20 overtime wild-card loss to the Vikings on Sunday.

Hill was the recipient of back-to-back catches on one drive in Sunday's loss, and he remained quiet the rest of the afternoon. As has been the case throughout his seven-year career, Hill was sparsely involved in the Saints' offense all year, though he was still able to amass 25 receptions for 226 yards -- both career-high marks.

Hill caught his lone target for a five-yard touchdown in the Saints' 34-7 win over the Colts on Monday.

Hill was a part of history Monday, as he caught Drew Brees' record-setting 540th career touchdown pass. It was a wonderful moment for the veteran tight end, and he's now scored in two straight contests. Hill has accumulated just seven targets across his last four outings though, and touchdowns can't be depended upon given such low volume.

Hill brought in two of three targets for four yards and a touchdown in the Saints' 48-46 loss to the 49ers on Sunday.

The score came on the first play of the second quarter from three yards out to put the Saints up 20-7. Hill was surprisingly quiet the rest of the afternoon despite Jared Cook heading to the locker room before halftime with a concussion. The former could have more opportunities in Week 15 if Cook doesn't clear the concussion protocol, though with just 19 receptions for 182 yards on the season, Hill will be tough to trust against Indianapolis.

Hill caught one of his two targets for a two-yard gain during Thursday's 26-18 win over the Falcons.

Hill has now been held under 15 yards in four of his last six games. He had a nice little run in Weeks 7 and 8 with six total catches for 82 yards and a touchdown, but he's mostly been quiet this season and is now decisively behind Jared Cook on the depth chart. Hill and the Saints will have their hands full Sunday against the league's top pass defense, the 49ers.

Hill caught his lone target for 12 yards in the Saints' 34-31 win over the Panthers on Sunday.

Hill took the field after suffering a concussion in Week 11 and saw a typical workload in Sunday's win. He's been a non-factor in the receiving game all season, but with Jared Cook's recent explosion over the Saints' last three games (14-206-2 receiving line), Hill could see his usage trend down even further.