Safety Will Hill Suspended for Six Games

Will Hill Returns an Interception for a TD – © USA TODAY Sports Images

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Safety Will Hill Suspended for Six Games: New York Giants safety Will Hill has been suspended without pay for the first six regular-season games of the 2014 season. Hill violated the NFL’s policy on substances of abuse. Pleading innocence, Hill appealed the suspension, but lost the appeal.

If the Giants do not cut Hill, he is eligible to participate in all offseason and preseason practices and games until his suspension begins before Week 1 of the regular season. Hill will be eligible to return to the Giants’ active roster on Monday, October 13 following the team’s October 12 game against the Philadelphia Eagles.

This is Hill’s third NFL suspension in three seasons.

Hill was first suspended for four games of the 2012 season for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing substances (reportedly Adderall). Hill was suspended for four games a second time in 2013, this time for violating the NFL’s policy on abusive substances (reportedly marijuana). Hill was also arrested during the 2013 season for not making child support payments. At the time of that arrest, the police reported that they detected the smell of marijuana in his vehicle, but no drug-related charges were filed.

When he came off of the second drug suspension, Hill played in the remaining 12 games of the 2013 season. Hill started one game at strong safety and became the new starter at free safety in the last nine games. He impressed with his play, finishing with 77 tackles, 2 pass defenses, 2 interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), and 2 forced fumbles. Hill was a top-ranked athlete coming out of high school in New Jersey, but off-the-field issues caused him to be undrafted and unsigned as a junior in 2011.

Now the team will need to decide on whether Will Hill will remain a New York Giant.

Will Hill has been suspended for the first 6 reg. season games for violating the NFL Policy for Substances of Abuse. http://t.co/WuvP5Rvql0

— New York Giants (@Giants) May 30, 2014