Eagles sign RB Hill off Saints practice squad

Oct 28, 2009 - 10:44 PM PHILADELPHIA(AP) -- Concerned over their depth at running back with Bran Westbrook recovering from a concussion, the Philadelphia Eagles have signed P.J. Hill off the New Orleans Saints practice squad.

To make room on the 53-man roster for Hill, who was signed Tuesday, the Eagles placed linebacker Omar Gaither on injured reserve with a foot injury, ending his season. Gaither was hurt two weeks ago in the team's loss to the Raiders and underwent surgery last week.

Hill, 5-foot-10, 218 pounds, was signed by the Saints as a rookie free agent out of Wisconsin. He had 26 carries for 128 yards, a 4.9 yards per carry average, and scored three touchdowns in the preseason.

He was among the Saints' final cuts before being signed to the team's practice squad.

In college, Hill joined Ron Dayne as the only backs in Wisconsin history to rush for more than 1,000 yards in each of their first three seasons. Hill finished his college career with 3,942 yards and 42 touchdowns.

He will join fellow rookie LeSean McCoy, the Eagles' second-round pick out of Pitt, in the team's backfield.