Buccaneers Sign RB Michael Hill Off Packers' Practice Squad

Less than a week after placing Doug Martin on IR and losing Mike James to an ankle fracture, the Buccaneers have signed running back Michael Hill off the Packers' practice squad.

Hill began the season on the Packers' practice squad. After multiple injuries Eddie Lacy, James Starks, and John Kuhn thinned out the depth chart, Hill was promoted to the active roster, appearing in two games. Upon their recovery, Green Bay released Hill and subsequently re-signed him to the practice squad.

It's unknown if Hill gave the Packers an opportunity to match the salary he'd make as a member of a 53-man roster and retain him. Green Bay did this most recently with then practice-squad quarterback Scott Tolzien. However, given the relative health of the running backs, it seems unlikely the team would have elected to do so.

The Packers moved quickly to fill Hill's vacated practice squad spot, signing running back Owrin Smith, a rookie from Georgia Tech. He worked out for the team back in September following the release of wide receiver/returner Jeremy Ross. Smith averaged 21.2 yards per return during his collegiate career, and would likely get some run on kickoffs if/when the Packers promote him.

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