Overview
- Coach Mike Vrabel confirmed this week that Julian Hill will miss the entire 2026 season after suffering a significant knee injury.
- Reports say Hill hurt his knee during voluntary offseason work and the team placed him on injured reserve, which removes him from the active roster for the year.
- Hill joined the Patriots in March on a three-year, $15 million deal after three seasons with the Miami Dolphins and had 33 catches for 288 yards in 45 career games.
- With Hill out, veteran Hunter Henry remains the starter and the Patriots are expected to turn to rookies and depth players such as Eli Raridon, Jack Westover, C.J. Dippre, or Tanner Arkin to fill Hill’s role.
- The setback arrives days after New England’s trade for A.J. Brown and follows recent media scrutiny of Vrabel, creating an added roster and public-relations challenge for the team.