Leon

Hall

Hall has spent the last two seasons with the Giants and 49ers, but he was with new Raiders DC Paul Guenther in Cincinnati before that. Hall would be an option in the slot if he signs.

Headed into his age-34 season, Hall has become a journeyman reserve. The Raiders will be his fourth team in as many years. Hall has made just three starts over the past two seasons, playing 660 snaps. He won’t be guaranteed to crack the 53-man roster, though new coach Jon Gruden has been going back to the future in Oakland.

Hall was hospitalized after the Denver game for complications with his sickle cell trait. The Raiders limited him in practice early this week, but removed him from the injury report. Hall should see a lot of Danny Amendola in the slot.

Hall started four games and was playing over 50 percent of snaps before going down. The 34-year-old will be a free agent this offseason.

“When they say 9-12 months, I didn’t think I’d be back on the field running at four months and doing drills,” Hall said. “But I’m backpedaling, doing the cones. I actually feel pretty good.” Although Hall has yet to suffer a setback, he remains a major question to be ready for Week 1. He’s a candidate to begin the season on the PUP list.

Outside of three first downs on the opening drive, Hall had been doing a nice job of shutting down Mike Wallace. He was ruled out for the rest of the game to start the second half.

It’d be awful timing for the Bengals’ organization, which gave Hall a brand, spanking-new $42.375 million contract in August. An Achilles’ tear can be a career-threatening injury for a player like Hall that relies on speed and change-of-direction ability. Coach Marvin Lewis should have an update Monday.

Schefter is essentially confirming buzz in the Bengals’ locker room; the Cincinnati Enquirer’s Joe Reedy reported earlier that Hall’s teammates believed he was done for the season. Hall is easily the Bengals’ top corner and one of the most underrated defensive backs in football. It’s a big blow to Cincinnati’s playoff chances after Sunday’s 24-17 loss to Pittsburgh.

Signed to a new five-year, $47.4 million contract on September 2, Hall has been the Bengals’ top cornerback since breaking into the league as a first-round pick out of Michigan in 2007. A playmaker on the ball (25 career turnovers caused in 73 games), Hall was also this pass defense’s best cover man. Obviously, Cincinnati will be easier to target for fantasy matchup purposes the rest of the way. Hall will go through an intense recovery after a career-threatening injury. He may be a candidate to open next season on the PUP list.

Hall, who tore his left Achilles’ on November 13, concedes he’ll miss all OTAs but hopes to be ready for the start of training camp. Players coming off Achilles’ tears always must be careful to avoid rushing back, of course, because setbacks can be debilitating. While he’s saying and doing all the right things, the Bengals simply can’t count on Hall to be a Week 1 starter.