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New England Patriots Place Tight End Julian Hill on Injured Reserve
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- New England Patriots Place Tight End Julian Hill on Injured Reserve
(Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images)
The New England Patriots experienced their first setback of the 2026 season early in the offseason program, as the team yesterday announced that tight end Julian Hill was placed on season-ending injured reserve after suffering an injury during an Organized Team Activities (OTAs) practice session.
Hill (25) joined New England earlier this spring as a free agent acquisition. He signed a three-year, $15 million contract in March and projected to be the second tight end on the depth chart behind Hunter Henry .
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While not an extremely accomplished receiver (33 receptions, 288 receiving yards, and three touchdowns) in three career seasons with the Miami Dolphins , Hill did show upside as a plus-blocker in the running game. He was paid handsomely by the Patriots this spring to fill the TE2 role after it was vacated by Austin Hooper , who signed with the Atlanta Falcons as an unrestricted free agent.
From the financial commitment the team made to the rhetoric used when discussing his potential impact on the field, Hill's loss is sure to be felt on early downs and in short-yardage when New England runs two-tight end sets.
His absence could, however, pave a path for more significant contributions from younger players on the roster.
Next up in the tight end room is rookie Eli Raridon of Notre Dame, whom the Patriots selected with the 95th overall pick in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft. At 6'6", 245 lbs., with a 4.62 second 40-yard dash, Raridon brings great size and athleticism at the position with the ability to make an impact as a vertical threat in the passing game.
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Last season with the Fighting Irish, Raridon hauled in 32 of 44 targets (72.7% reception rate) for 482 yards, averaging 15.1 yards per catch — sixth among all FBS tight ends. Raridon led all FBS tight ends with eight deep catches (20+ yards downfield) on just 10 targets for 282 yards. The only two targets he didn't convert into receptions drew defensive pass-interference penalties.
Without Hill in the lineup, Raridon will receive more run with the first-team offense through the summer and fall — priming him for a full-time role in the offense come the start of the regular season.
Hill's stint on injured reserve also opens the door for C.J. Dippre and/or Tanner Arkin to earn a spot on the final 53-man roster this fall.
Dippre was signed as an Undrafted Rookie Free Agent (UDFA) last offseason, and spent the majority of 2025 on the New England practice squad. At 6'5", 256 lb., Dippre has the size to be an effective blocker and showed versatility to contribute as a pass catcher with sure hands on underneath routes. He was elevated to the Patriots' 53-man roster on November 17, 2025, but was inactive for all but two games.
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Arkin was added to New England's 90-man roster as a UDFA following the 2026 draft. The Illinois Fighting Illini product measures in at 6'4", 262 lbs., and specialized as an in-line blocker in his collegiate days. Used primarily as an extension of the offensive line, Arkin earned a run blocking grade of 77.2 last season, which ranked fourth among FBS tight ends with at least 300 blocking snaps (per PFF).
The loss of Julian Hill will certainly be felt by the Patriots after their offseason investment. Fortunately for New England, he was far from the only body they added to a room that has newfound depth after a spring filled with additions to supplement Hunter Henry's consistent production.
Whether it be early flashes from Raridon as a potential future top-dog in the room or contributions in the run game from Arkin/Dippre, the Patriots still have options to fall back on at tight end for 2026.
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