The New England Patriots have been dealt a significant blow ahead of the upcoming NFL season, with tight end Julian Hill suffering a season-ending knee injury during a voluntary offseason practice.
Hill, who recently agreed to a three-year, $15 million deal with the Patriots, has been placed on injured reserve, ruling him out for the entire season.
Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel described the injury as 'devastating' and 'awful', noting that Hill had already begun making an impact within the team despite his brief time in the setup.
Hill's injury raises concerns about the overall depth and balance of the Patriots' roster, and may force the team to rely more heavily on veteran tight end Hunter Henry.
