It just keeps getting worse for Holton Hill. Already sitting on a four-game suspension, the Minnesota Vikings cornerback was handed another four games for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy.
#Vikings CB Holton Hill was suspended without pay for an additional four games in 2019 for violating the NFL’s policy and program on substances of abuse. He was already suspended for the first four games for violating the league’s policy on PEDs.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 23, 2019
His original four-game ban was for violating the performance enhancing drugs policy. Hill will not be able to suit up before Week 9 of the 2019 season. He can still participate in all offseason practices, preseason games and workouts.
Hill was a 2018 undrafted free agent out of Texas. He played in all 16 games for the Vikings last season and started three. He recorded 36 tackles, one for a loss, seven passes defended and one interception.
Losing Hill for half the season is a blow. While the Vikings have two legit starters in Mackensie Alexander and Xavier Rhodes, Hill was a solid No. 3 corner and a value find, playing on a low contract. Minnesota has no real experience behind him with two rookies, seventh round pick Kris Boyd and UDFA Isaiah Washington on the depth chart along with 2018 UDFA Craig James and Duke Thomas, who has bounced around the league since 2016 but has never played in an NFL game.
Dean Lowry gets extension from Packers
There will be no mystery for defensive end Dean Lowry as he enters 2019. Looking at the final year of his rookie contract after the team picked him in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL Draft, the Green Bay Packers ponied up the cash, signing the former Northwestern standout to a three-year, $20.325 million extension with a $6 million signing bonus.
The #Packers signed DE Dean Lowry to a 3-year, $20.325 million extension, source said. A fourth-round pick back in 2016, Lowry has quietly developed into one of their most reliable players up front. Payday well-earned.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) July 23, 2019
Lowry started 18 games over the last two seasons and eight last year. He recorded a career high 44 tackles, five for a loss, three sacks (also a career high) along with one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and three passes defended.
OTHER NFL TRANSACTIONS
- The San Francisco 49ers cut kicker Jonathan Brown
- Punter Brian Anger signed by Houston Texans, team working out RB Johnny Thomas
- Dolphins cut offensive lineman Ryan Anderson and sign cornerback David Rivers
- Cam Robinson to open Jaguars camp on PUP
