The Cincinnati Bengals‘ defense needs a big boost.
They were fairly disappointing last season, essentially costing them a trip to the playoffs.
Unfortunately, one of their most respected players will need some more time before getting on the field.
As shown by Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic on X, DT B.J. Hill was at the team’s workout, but he’s not ready to partake in any activities.
Dax Hill (ACL) and Cole Burgess are on the rehab field.
BJ Hill is here but his left leg is in a walking boot. He did not have that in open locker room last week. pic.twitter.com/hb8MoJMdbD
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) May 6, 2025
He’s currently wearing a walking boot on his lower left leg, so he was only there as an observer.
There haven’t been any reports explaining the nature or extent of the injury.
However, Dehner reported that he didn’t wear it during an open locker room session last week.
There’s a chance that this is just for precautionary reasons, and it’s not usual to see veteran players partake in this part of the offseason program, especially when they’re not at full strength.
The Bengals need Hill to be at his best next season.
The new defensive coordinator, Al Golden, will have his work cut out for him so that he can fix this struggling unit.
Hill will join second-year pros McKinnley Jackson and Kris Jenkins Jr. in the interior of the defensive line, with rookie Shemar Stewart and Trey Hendrickson rounding things out.
He just signed a three-year contract to stay with the Bengals, the team he’s called home since 2021.
Last season, he registered 56 tackles and three sacks in 15 appearances, being perhaps the only bright spot for the defense besides Hendrickson.
