Packers RB Kylin Hill suffered season-ending knee injury vs. Cardinals

The rookie season of Green Bay Packers running back and kick returner Kylin Hill is over.

Hill, the team’s seventh-round pick, suffered a season-ending knee injury while returning a kickoff during the second half of the Packers’ win over the Cardinals on Thursday night, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.

The specific injury to the knee isn’t currently known. A season-ending injury usually involves at least one torn ligament.

Hill’s right leg absorbed the brunt of a devastating collision with Cardinals running back Jonathan Ward, who suffered a concussion on the play. In obvious pain and with tears in his eyes, Hill was carted off the field and back to the locker room by the Packers medical staff. Ward was strapped to a backboard and carted off not long after.

Hill played in all eight games for the Packers to start the 2021 season. He carried 10 times for 24 yards, caught one pass for five yards and returned 10 kickoffs for 199 yards. He played 26 snaps on offense and 76 more on special teams.

The Packers turned to Malik Taylor to return kicks after Hill left the game in the second half. At running back, the Packers will need to find a new No. 3 option behind Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon, although Patrick Taylor is available on the practice squad.

Matt LaFleur and the Packers have been openly optimistic about Hill and his ability as a runner and returner. He is likely to face a long rehab before starting his second NFL season in 2022.

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