QB Jones inactive for Giants; McCoy to start at Seattle
The New York Giants will be without starting quarterback Daniel Jones for Sunday’s game against the Seattle SeahawksDECEMBER 6, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
DONTRELL HILLIARD
Hinton promoted with all 4 Denver QBs out
With their four quarterbacks all out, the Denver Broncos have promoted rookie receiver Kendall Hinton from their practice squad Sunday to play QB against the New Orleans SaintsNOVEMBER 29, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Drew Lock gets start at QB for Broncos vs. Dolphins
Drew Lock will get the start at quarterback when the Denver Broncos host the Miami Dolphins despite missing practice Wednesday with bruised ribs and a strained oblique he sustained...NOVEMBER 22, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Healthy scratch Sunday Hilliard (coach's decision) is officially inactive for Sunday's game against the Texans, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.
Impact Hilliard had suited up in the past four games on special teams and as a depth running back, but with Nick Chubb (knee) returning from injured reserve, he seemingly has lost his role. With Hilliard sidelined, Chubb, Kareem Hunt and D'Ernest Johnson will handle running back duties for Week 10.
NOVEMBER 15, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Steelers' Roethlisberger active after virus-related absence
The unbeaten Pittsburgh Steelers wound up relatively healthy for their game against the AFC North rival Cincinnati Bengals following a brush with the novel coronavirusNOVEMBER 15, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Produces in garbage time Hilliard had four carries for 29 yards and a team-high 7.3 yards per carry in Sunday's 38-7 loss to Pittsburgh.
Impact Twenty-three of Hilliard's 29 yards came in the fourth quarter of Sunday's blowout, and the back remains third on the depth chart behind Kareem Hunt and D'Ernest Johnson. He played just seven of the Browns' 57 offensive snaps, all in garbage time.
OCTOBER 19, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Part of RB committee Hilliard carried five times for 19 yards and caught his lone target for two yards in Sunday's 49-38 win over Dallas.
Impact Hilliard was made active for the game as a potential kick returner, but he was needed in the backfield when Nick Chubb (knee) left the game early. The Browns operated a committee of backs with Hilliard joining Kareem Hunt and D'Ernest Johnson to finish off a 307-yard rushing day for the team (7.7 YPC). With Hunt on the injury report (groin) all week, the Browns opted for this committee approach in order to not overexpose him. If Chubb's injury proves to be serious and Hunt's groin responds well to Sunday's activity, then expect him to be the primary back Week 5 against the Colts, with Hilliard relegated to a depth role.
OCTOBER 5, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Adds value to roster Cleveland head coach Kevin Stefanski said HIlliard's versatility and work during practice earned him a promotion to the active roster, Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer...
Impact The coach was asked Wednesday what motivated the decision to promote Hilliard, the implication being he could be a fill in as a returner for the injured JoJo Natson (knee) or an emergency option for Kareem Hunt (groin) who popped up on the injury report. Hilliard averaged 24.8 yards on 17 kickoffs and 7.1 yards on 15 punts last season.
OCTOBER 1, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
NFLPA asking teams to change all fields to natural grass
The NFL Players Association is asking that the 32 league teams change all field surfaces to natural grass because of injury concernsSEPTEMBER 30, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Bumps to active roster The Browns promoted Hilliard to the active roster on Wednesday.
Impact Hilliard stands to provide the Browns with emergency depth at running back while Kareem Hunt (undisclosed) nurses an injury that's been labeled day-to-day, per Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram. He appeared in 14 games with the team last season.
SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Browns claim D-linemen Jackson, Taylor off waivers
The Browns are already busy reshuffling their defensive lineSEPTEMBER 6, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Joins practice squad Hilliard cleared waivers Sunday and signed with the Browns' practice squad, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports.
Impact Hilliard played 14 games for the Browns last year, and he recorded 13 carries for 49 yards and two touchdowns while catching 12 of 15 targets for 92 yards. He also contributed as a return man. However, the Browns opted to keep just three running backs to begin the year, and D'Ernest Johnson beat out Hilliard for the final spot.
SEPTEMBER 6, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Browns trim roster, 2018 picks Thomas, Ratley among cuts
Browns rookie coach Kevin Stefanski has his first 53-man rosterSEPTEMBER 5, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Cut loose by Browns Hilliard was waived by the Browns on Saturday, Jake Trotter of ESPN.com reports.
Impact Hilliard was a useful special teams piece for the Browns over the past two seasons, logging 372 snaps over the last two seasons. Instead the team opted to have unproven backs D'Ernest Johnson and Ben LeMay fill out the bottom half of the team's running back depth chart, although it's possible Hilliard could return to the team's practice squad if he makes it through waivers.
SEPTEMBER 5, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Comes off COVID-19 list The Browns activated Hilliard (illness) from the reserve/COVID-19 list Tuesday.
Impact Hilliard spent a bit over a week on the reserve/COVID-19 list after either testing positive for the virus or coming into contact with someone who did. Now having received clearance to return to practice, he'll turn his attention toward competing with D'Ernest Johnson for the No. 3 running back gig in Cleveland.
AUGUST 4, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
