Referee Adrian Hill had to be helped off the field during the third quarter of the Houston Texans vs. Buffalo Bills ‘Thursday Night Football’ game this week. A day later, we have a clearer picture on his health status.
The injury occurred on a Bills punt midway through the third quarter. Hill was standing behind the play in the end-zone and pulled up and reached for his left leg after trying to run.
Hill’s injury was of the non-contact variety, and he was helped off the field by medical staff on hand for the game. He was unable to put much weight on his left leg, though he was seen standing on the sideline after leaving the field.
Hill was eventually carted off the field because of the injury. He was replaced at his referee spot by the crew’s umpire, Roy Ellison, and the switch left the officiating crew without an umpire for the rest of Thursday’s game.
Adrian Hill injury update
The ‘Thursday Night Football’ referee avoided a major injury, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, and will not need surgery. Initial concerns were that the longtime official suffered an Achilles injury.
Despite avoiding a major injury, Hill is expected to miss time recovering from what happened on Thursday night, per Pelissero. A return this season is still in play pending his recovery.
Hill has been an NFL official since the 2010 NFL season. He has been a referee since the start of the 2019 campaign.
Meanwhile, Ellison has been an NFL umpire since the 2003 season.