Packers 2022 roster preview: Kylin Hill can make 53-man roster

An excellent preseason helped Kylin Hill earn a spot on the Green Bay Packers‘ 53-man roster as the No. 3 running back last year.

Hill suffered a season-ending knee injury in the regular season, so it’s unclear when he will be ready to return.

Once he’s back, Hill should again compete for the No. 3 job in 2022.

2021 stats

Hill played in eight regular season games for the Packers. On offense, he had 10 rushing attempts for 24 yards. He also had a five-yard catch.

Hill also had opportunities on kick returns. He returned 10 kicks for 199 yards, averaging 19.9 yards per return.

In the preseason, Hill had 19 carries for 64 yards and a touchdown.

2021 season review

Hill was a standout performer during the summer and deservedly won the No. 3 spot on the running back depth chart.

Predictably, there were precious few opportunities on offense with Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon leading the way. Hill did get a chance to return kicks. Unfortunately, he suffered a season-ending knee injury on special teams in Week 8 versus the Arizona Cardinals.

It would have been great to have seen a full season from Hill, especially as a kick returner.

Will he make the roster?

If Hill is fully healthy this summer, he should be considered the frontrunner for the No. 3 spot again. He will face competition from Patrick Taylor and rookie Tyler Goodson, but Hill has the potential to be a very good player.

Hill could start on the PUP list if he isn’t ready for Week 1. This would mean he has to miss the opening six games.

Regardless, Hill should be part of the Packers’ plans in 2022.

What to expect in 2022

As long as Jones and Dillon are healthy, there won’t be many carries to go around for the backup running backs.

Hill will need to continue to contribute on special teams as he did in his rookie season.

He showed plenty of potential last summer.

Most important is getting fully healthy after a significant knee injury, then it will be winning the No. 3 job.