Bengals Get Positive Injury News on Veteran B.J. Hill Ahead of Season Opener

The Cincinnati Bengals got another encouraging sign from veteran defensive tackle B.J. Hill on Monday as he continues to work his way back to full strength.

Hill participated in 11-on-11 work for the first time this training camp. The 31-year-old worked with T.J. Slaton and the second-team defense during that period, as Cincinnati continues to increase Hill's workload gradually.

"To be honest, I am truly blessed to be back out there," Hill said after practice. "What I've been through the last couple of months, it wasn't an easy road. A lot of frustration, a lot of ups and downs, but I don't take it for granted. It was really awesome just being back out there."

It's another significant step for Hill, who opened training camp on the Physically Unable to Perform list while recovering from a lower-body injury. The Bengals cleared him to practice on Aug. 15, and Monday's reps mark the latest progression toward having one of the team's most experienced defensive linemen ready for the regular season.

Hill is Continuing to Ramp Up

Dec 16, 2023; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle BJ Hill (92) reacts after sacking Minnesota Vikings quarterback Nick Mullens (not pictured) and picking up the fumble in the first half at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports | USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect

Hill's return to 11-on-11 work comes more than a week after he participated in his first practice of camp. Cincinnati has, understandably, taken a cautious approach with the veteran defensive tackle.

"The hardest part was watching my guys out there grinding when I'm not out there," Hill said earlier this month. "That's really the hard part. So I've been doing everything possible to try to get back. It just takes time."

Working with the second-team defense doesn't necessarily mean Hill has fallen down the depth chart. The Bengals are still ramping him up after he missed most of training camp — and getting through full-team periods is another box he must check off before returning to his normal workload.

Hill remains one of the team's most reliable defensive linemen, alongside star Dexter Lawrence. He started in all 17 games last season, finishing with 66 tackles, five tackles for loss, and four sacks. He was also named a team captain.

The veteran has been a staple of Cincinnati's defense since arriving in a trade with the New York Giants, like Lawrence, ahead of the 2021 season. He's been a full-time starter since the Bengals' Super Bowl run and signed a three-year, $33 million contract to remain with the Bengals in the 2025 offseason.

For Hill, returning to team drills is another positive development as Week 1 approaches. He admits that the past few months have been challenging, but he's in a good place with the season opener 20 days away.

"Just not being where I wanted to be health-wise," Hill said of the frustrations. "I feel like some days I felt really good. Some days, the next day, I might not feel as good. It's kind of frustrating, and also not being out there with my guys. When you're a leader on this team, you want to be out there fighting with your guys, putting in the hard work and the time with those guys."

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