Hill returns to full participation at Bengals camp following foot injury

Published 5:03 pm Saturday, August 2, 2025

ALBEMARLE — Former West Stanly standout B.J. Hill suited up in full pads Wednesday for the first time during the Cincinnati Bengals’ 2025 training camp, marking a full return after beginning camp on a limited workload due to a minor foot injury.

It remains to be seen if he will continue full workload through the end of camp on Aug. 10.

Hill, an eighth-year defensive tackle and a fixture along the Bengals’ defensive front, had been gradually ramping up his activity after suffering a minor foot injury during voluntary team activities in the spring. He was spotted in a walking boot earlier this offseason but was officially cleared to participate in training camp ahead of its July 24 opening.

Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said during a July 21 media luncheon that Hill would be placed on a “load management” program to start camp, but emphasized confidence in his readiness.

“B.J. is not going to take a ton of training camp reps,” Taylor added. “We’ve seen all we need to see from B.J., and we’ve got to make sure he’s ready to roll for Game 1.”

Defensive coordinator Al Golden echoed Taylor’s optimism, saying Hill “looks great right now.”

Hill sat out Day 2 of camp as part of a planned veteran rest day, but he was back in drills and working in pads by Day 4; he participated in his first full-padded session Wednesday, signaling an increased return to action.

The 6-foot-3, 310-pound lineman has been a steady presence for Cincinnati since arriving via trade in 2021. He played in 15 games last season, tallying 56 tackles, three sacks and seven tackles for loss.

In four seasons with the Bengals, Hill has racked up 16 sacks and over 225 total tackles.

The Bengals re-signed Hill to a three-year deal ahead of the 2025 season, solidifying his place on a defensive unit that has been retooling after multiple offseason departures.

With training camp in full swing, Hill’s return brings veteran stability to the interior line as the Bengals prepare for their preseason opener at Philadelphia on Aug. 7.