Mike

Hilton

Hilton signed with the Colts after Week 3 and started two games for the team. The 31-year-old tallied five combined tackles and a forced fumble as he helped cover for slot cornerback Kenny Moore’s absence due to a calf injury. Hilton was technically on the practice squad, so he goes on the injured reserve there. The Colts signed Troy Pride to the practice squad in a corresponding move.

Hilton’s signing comes a day after slot corner Kenny Moore exited Week 3 with a calf injury. Hilton is an eight-year vet who spent the last four years of his career in Cincinnati under current Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo. He can serve as an immediate plug and play corner for a Colts defense that currently ranks in the top-10 in both points and yards allowed through the first three weeks of the season, and has plenty of starting experience under his belt if needed.

Hilton has spent the last four seasons with the Bengals. He appeared in 16 games for them last season, totaling 73 tackles and one interception while also breaking up five passes. The Eagles’ corners struggled at times in the team’s Week 1 win over the Cowboys and could benefit from adding a veteran like Hilton to shore up a secondary that C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Darius Slay this offseason. If signed, Hilton shouldn’t be viewed as anything more than a depth player who can contribute in nickel and dime packages.

After being cut by the Dolphins on Monday, Hilton was of immediate interest to the Colts with their battered DB room. They already added Xavien Howard earlier this month. Now Hilton could be another veteran addition as Lou Anarumo tries to reunite with his old slot cornerback.

Hilton joined the Dolphins in late July but ultimately came up short of making the final 53. He played his previous four seasons with the Bengals, starting 23 games during the 2023 and 2024 seasons. The veteran has ample experience on both the perimeter and at nickel. It’s possible the Dolphins are engaging in roster shenanigans and will re-sign Hilton after final cuts, but Hilton should catch on somewhere.

The deal is for one year, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Hilton spent the first four years of his career with the Steelers and the last four with the Bengals. The 31-year-old safety started 23 games for the Bengals over the last two years. Hilton can also play nickel cornerback and could be used there with the Dolphins.

Hilton took to X: The Everything App, to post his thoughts on his status with the Bengals Monday. He said: “New opportunities always present themselves,” also including the ‘prayer hands’ emoji. The now 30-year-old cornerback understands the present situation in Cincinnati, with the team likely focused on wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins and edge Trey Hendrickson. Hilton is an impending free agent. The soon-to-be 31-year-old corner still has the ability to be an above-average slot and could catch on elsewhere.

Slot man Hilton (knee) was injured in Week 4. He’s a big loss any week, but a little less so vs. the run-focused Ravens.

The Bengals’ primary slot corner suffered a knee injury in Week 4 versus the Panthers but played through it. That suggests he could suit up this week despite a limited practice regimen. Hilton has 12 combined tackles this year. Defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins remained sideline for Wednesday’s practice.

Hilton’s absence should be a boon for Chris Godwin in the slot. Meanwhile, Hayden Hurst will miss another game with a calf injury, and Mitchell Wilcox should function as the Bengals’ primary pass-catching tight end. Wilcox is a last-ditch streaming play.