The Bengals fear CB Dax Hill tore his right ACL in the first quarter of Sunday's loss to the Ravens, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Assuming that's confirmed by testing, it would obviously end Hill's season.
Bengals HC Zac Taylor confirmed Monday that Dax Hill will start at CB opposite Cam Taylor-Britt to open the season. That means Hill -- who started 17 games at safety for Cincinnati last year, his second season -- has beaten out DJ Turner II. Mike Hilton remains the team's nickel CB.
The Panthers have reached a deal with former Bengals S Vonn Bell, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Carolina still has S Xavier Woods, who signed for three years as a free agent last offseason. The team lists Jeremy Chinn as a safety as well, but he moves around the formation. According to Pro Football Focus, Chinn actually played more snaps at slot CB than anywhere else last season. So expect the Panthers to have room for all three players in their primary defensive alignments. Cincinnati, meanwhile, must replace both safeties. Dax Hill -- a late first-round pick last April -- should fill one spot. We'll see about the other. Hill gets a boost in the dynasty rankings with these departures.
The Bengals chose S Daxton Hill with the penultimate pick of Round 1 in the NFL Draft. A versatile 3-year starter at Michigan, Hill finished his college career with 4.7 tackles per game, 4 total INTs and 15 passes defensed. He joins a Cincinnati defense that already has Jesse Bates and Vonn Bell in place. Hill could compete for early snaps at slot corner, and Bates is no lock beyond this season after getting the franchise tag this offseason. We'll see about Cincinnati's plans.
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