Taysom Hill has looked on helplessly from the sidelines during each of the past two Saints losses, both of which featured a struggling offense and a clear lack of playmakers.
Hill was active and in uniform, but only serving as the backup QB. He didn't see any snaps, and admits he'd have been significantly limited if he did have to play. Saints coach Sean Payton said he knew it "wouldn't be right" to throw him in a game with the "shape his foot was in."
The Saints wouldn't commit to Hill as the starter against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 13, and in desperate need of a win to snap the team's first 4-game losing streak since 2015. But just another 7 days removed from Week 12, exactly how limited will the partial plantar fascia tear be for a quarterback that does his best work using his legs?
"It’s hard to simulate a game in practice, especially the last three weeks," Hill said. "I think [I'll be able to be effective], but I really don’t know because it’s hard to simulate what that’s going to be like.”
The injury occurred during a Week 10 loss to the Tennessee Titans, Hill's first game back after recovering from a concussion suffered in Week 5. He said he caught a pass with his foot raised off the ground, but when he went to "explode" forward, "it just popped." There was no significant contact on the play, which occurred in the third quarter and went for a gain of 15 yards and a first down.
Hill said the injury has improved, and he's gained insight from both Payton and former Saints quarterback Drew Brees, both of whom suffered similar injuries in the past few seasons. Payton and Brees both underwent dry needling, a painful process to increase blood flow to the area. While Hill hasn't undergone that procedure, he's been told a full tear would've actually been less painful than the partial one he has.
The injury has gradually improved, he said, and he expects the only question going forward to be a matter of pain tolerance. The injury will hurt, but it's unlikely to get worse.
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"That’s been the challenge," Hill said. "I think we’re just getting to a point where I’m going to be dealing with pain, it’s just getting to a point where it doesn’t limit functionality.”
Should Hill get the start, he'll be the third starting quarterback for the Saints already this season. Winston started the first seven games, leading the Saints to a 5-2 record. Siemian has gone 0-4 since taking over as the starter. Now at 5-6 but still in the thick of the playoff hunt, Hill has a chance to write the ending of the 2021 season while also getting his first extended run as a starting quarterback. That will also happen with the confidence knowing he's not going anywhere, after signing a 4-year, $40 million deal that will pay more if he retains the starting QB job.
After an offseason quarterback battle and multiple injuries, it's been a long road. But Hill knows it's about taking advantage of every opportunity as it arises, as he always has done throughout his nontraditional, but unquestionably interesting NFL career to this point.
“The situation for me has always been the same. The opportunities that have come my way have been so unique. So that expectation doesn’t change," Hill said. "Whether, you know, the opportunity I had Week 1, Week 2, or whatever it ends up being this Thursday night and so forth in the future, right? I’m going to do my best to take advantage of every opportunity and do what I can to help us win football games.”
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