Former Saints tight end Josh Hill signed a one-year, $1.2 million deal with the Lions in March, reuniting him with Dan Campbell. On Tuesday Hill retired, according to the Free Press.
Hill, 30, spent the first eight years of his career in New Orleans, where Campbell was assistant head coach and tight ends coach from 2016-20. He was primarily a blocking tight end, the role he was expected to play in Detroit.
Now it's a role for someone else.
Perhaps Darren Fells? The Lions are bringing in the seven-year vet for a free agent visit Tuesday night, according to the NFL Network. Fells, who played for the Lions in 2017, caught 11 touchdowns over the past two seasons with the Texans.
The Lions have also signed two tight ends on the undrafted free agent market, Ohio State's Jake Hausmann and Notre Dame's Brock Wright. Both were primarily blockers in college.
It's unclear what led to Hill's retirement. He did miss the final two games of last season with a hand injury, but he returned to play in both the Saints' playoff games. Before that he hadn't missed a game since the 2016 season.
Hill caught eight passes for 46 yards and one touchdown in 14 games last year. He set career highs in catches (25) and yards (226) the year prior.
In addition to starter T.J. Hockenson, the Lions have Hunter Bryant, Alize Mack and Hunter Thedford at tight end. Of the three, only Bryant has appeared in an NFL game.