The Giants escaped Sunday’s win over the Browns relatively healthy, but that doesn’t mean they didn’t begin their week with one less player.
Safety Will Hill became the third member of Big Blue to be hit with a suspension for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing substances.
Hill, who said he “had a feeling trouble was coming” over his use of Adderall, must begin his suspension immediately. He will be eligible to return to the Giants’ active roster on Nov. 5 following the team’s Nov. 4 game against the Steelers.
Hill said he appealed upon hearing about the failed test, but lost.
“I received a doctor’s prescription for Adderall prior to signing with the Giants,” Hill said in a statement. “Shortly after signing with the team, I was in a meeting with [Giants’ director of player development] Charles Way, who reviewed the list of the league’s banned substances. I knew at that point that this may be an issue. … I was tested and the results came back that Adderall was in my system. I appealed but lost the appeal. I accept full responsibility for this situation, and it won’t happen again.”
This is the third time this season a Giants’ player has been under the microscope for using Adderall. Running back Andre Brown was hit with a suspension over the summer following his failed test, but won his appeal. Fellow safety Tyler Sash, who will now ironically take Hill’s spot on the 53-man roster following his four-game suspension, also lost his appeal.
Hill has played in all five games this season. He was starting to carve out a niche as the team’s nickel cornerback and as the third safety.
“The Giants have given me a great opportunity when nobody else would, and I don’t take that for granted,” he said. “I feel badly this has happened. I will work hard and stay in great shape these next four weeks so I can come back and contribute to this team after my suspension.”
Big Blue notes
» Brown was officially diagnosed with a concussion, according to head coach Tom Coughlin. It’s not clear how serious it is, although Coughlin said Brown “is not 100 percent.”
»Tight end Martellus Bennett was undergoing tests on his hyperextended left knee.
»Wideout Ramses Barden (concussion) has been cleared to return to practice. He missed the Browns game after getting hit on the head on the Giants’ final drive in Philadelphia the previous week.
»Wideout Hakeem Nicks (foot/knee), who also missed the Browns game, had an MRI on his knee. Coughlin said he’s not sure yet if Nicks can practice this week.
»Defensive tackle Rocky Bernard (quadriceps) is “hopeful” that he can play this week against the 49ers.
»Bernard’s fellow defensive tackle, Chris Canty (knee), isn’t eligible yet to come off the physically unable to perform list (PUP) just yet but said he’s “absolutely” ready to practice once he does. Canty will be eligible to come off the PUP list next week and once he does practice, the team will have a three-week window into either activating or putting Canty on season-ending injured reserve. The same goes for tight end Travis Beckum (knee) once he comes off the PUP list.
»Former New Jersey and Rutgers star running back Joe Martinek was re-signed to the Giants’ practice squad. He may be used as insurance should Brown’s recovery take longer than expected.
Follow Giants beat writer Tony Williams on Twitter @TBone8.
