Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle B.J. Hill has passed his physical and been cleared to practice, ending his stint on the Active/Physically Unable to Perform list. Sidelined since July 25 while managing a foot injury he played through during the previous season, Hill’s return injects a veteran presence back into a defensive interior.
The update arrives on the heels of the team’s preseason opener, a 16-14 victory over the Lions. While head coach Zac Taylor indicated before camp that he did not expect the lineman to remain on the PUP list for all of training camp, this clearance represents the most significant milestone in Hill’s recovery thus far.
A Veteran Anchor for a Restructured Defensive Front
Hill’s return bolsters an interior defensive line that underwent a major offseason mending. The Bengals acquired Dexter Lawrence II in April in exchange for a first-round draft pick and subsequently signed him to a contract extension. Alongside that move, Cincinnati signed Jonathan Allen in March, pairing additions with Hill to form an experienced interior rotation.
During the preseason opener against the Lions, both Lawrence and Allen saw limited action, logging just three snaps apiece. Hill now has the opportunity to integrate himself into that rotation under defensive coordinator Al Golden ahead of the regular season.
Durability and heavy workloads have defined Hill’s tenure in Cincinnati since he arrived in 2021, a season that culminated in a Super Bowl appearance. He started all 17 games in 2025, racking up 66 tackles, 4 sacks, and 5 tackles for loss. According to Pro Football Focus tracking via his official team bio, Hill played 670 total defensive snaps—split between 316 against the run and 354 as a pass rusher. When the Bengals re-signed him in March 2025, the team noted that he had logged the fourth-most snaps among NFL defensive tackles since the start of the 2022 season. The team committed three years and a reported $33 million to Hill in 2025, keeping him in place through the 2027 season.
Evaluating Hill’s Production and Impact
The financial commitment made to the veteran lineman was backed up by steady on-field production. Pro Football Focus awarded Hill a 68.6 overall defensive grade for last season, slotting him 33rd among 134 qualified interior defenders. His performance against the run was particularly stout, earning a 68.0 run-defense grade that ranked 20th at his position, accompanied by 35 defensive stops that ranked eighth overall.
Furthermore, Hill generated 29 pressures last year, serving as a presence for a defense that needed more consistency up front. With Lawrence arriving as a three-time Pro Bowl selection and Allen adding another experienced interior pass rusher, Hill’s return gives Golden another player capable of handling significant snaps.
| Metric / Detail | Recorded Figure / Status |
|---|---|
| 2025 Regular Season Stats | 17 starts, 66 tackles, 4 sacks, 5 TFL |
| Contract Extension Terms | 3 years, reported $33 million (through 2027) |
| PFF Defensive Grade (2025) | 68.6 overall (33rd among 134 interior defenders) |
| Current Roster Status | Cleared physical, removed from PUP list |
While there is no indication that Hill will play in Cincinnati’s next preseason game, clearing his physical allows him to resume full football activities. As training camp rolls forward, the coaching staff will monitor his workload.
We want to hear from you. How do you think the defensive rotation will shape up with Hill back alongside Lawrence and Allen? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
