The Buccaneers’ depth at cornerback continues to be an issue in 2024. Five weeks after acquiring the veteran 33-year-old corner, Tampa Bay will now officially put Troy Hill on injured reserve, per Jenna Laine of ESPN. He joins Bryce Hall on IR and Josh Hayes and Tykee Smith from the secondary on the injury report.

Buccaneers' CB depth takes a hit with latest injury

The Bucs added Hill to their practice squad near the end of October, a little over a week after his release from the Panthers. He wasn’t able to play in his first two games with Tampa Bay as he dealt with ankle and foot issues. Finally, two weeks ago, he debuted with his fifth career team after a couple of limited practices. He was likely playing through the issues, though, as in both games he appeared in, Hill only saw three special teams snaps. Adding a knee injury to his issues forced the team’s hand to place him on IR.

Hill wasn’t likely to come in and take starting snaps across from Zyon McCollum, the only cornerback and one of only three defenders, to start every game this season, but his depth was very necessary. Jamel Dean missed a four-game stretch before making it back for the last two games, rookie nickelback Tykee Smith has missed four of the team’s past five games and undrafted rookie Tyrek Funderburk has worked his way into eight games this year.

Some of Hill’s best years have come in the slot. During his time with the Rams, he recorded at least two interceptions in three straight years, finishing 2020 as the league-leader in interception return yards (119) and interceptions returned for touchdowns (2), adding on a fumble return for a touchdown that year, as well.

Hill has struggled to find the same success he has experienced in Los Angeles and elsewhere in the NFL, though. Over his time in Cincinnati, Cleveland, and Carolina, Hill was viewed as a rotational defensive back, only tallying nine of his 60 career starts outside of L.A.

For a former undrafted free agent out of Oregon, Hill has enjoyed a long career in the NFL, but seeing as his age-33 season could be ending with a limp, we may be seeing his time in the league coming to a quiet end. He still has time to try to make a return before the end of the season, and the Buccaneers do have a few IR activations remaining, but for now, Tampa Bay will need to look elsewhere for cornerback depth.