Backing up Siemian in Week 9 Hill practiced fully Friday and has cleared the concussion protocol, but head coach Sean Payton said that he'll be available in a backup capacity Sunday against the Falcons after T... Impact Though Hill missed the Saints' last two games due to the head injury, he returned to practice Wednesday as a limited participant and looked like he might be an option to start Week 9 after top quarterback Jameis Winston (knee) suffered a season-ending ACL tear in the Week 8 win over the Buccaneers. However, Siemian was ultimately awarded the starting nod after he performed capably as a game manager in relief of Winston last week, but that doesn't mean he'll have a long leash atop the depth chart. In fact, Payton intimated that the timing of Hill's exit from the concussion protocol played a factor in the decision to go with Siemian, and the coach left the door open for the quarterback situation to be revisited Week 10, per Jeff Nowak of The Big 870 New Orleans. Payton added that Hill and rookie fourth-round pick Ian Book will both be available as reserve options behind Siemian, and Hill should have at least a small role in Sunday's game plan in goal-line or short-yardage scenarios, just like he did when he backed up Winston in the Saints' first five games.
NOVEMBER 5, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
