Peyton Hillis returned to the NFL on Monday to help the New York Giants earn their first win of the season. He rushed for a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings, but admitted he needs to get into better shape. Is Hillis the answer for New York's running game?
After a breakout season in 2010 with the Cleveland Browns, Hillis fell into obscurity and eventually out of the NFL. He struggled the following season with the Browns, and he was unproductive in 2012 with the Kansas City Chiefs. He made it through training camp this summer with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but the team released him in September.
With the Giants' running back situation in limbo, the team gave Hillis a workout and signed him last Wednesday, the New York Daily News reports. Hillis made his presence known on Monday Night Football: 18 carries for 36 yards and one touchdown, along with five receptions for 45 yards.
While Hillis is thrilled to be playing again, he admitted his meager production on the ground needs to improve - something he believes will happen when he gets back in shape.
"I was at home on my ranch in Tennessee hunting every day and not working out, and then you get a call," said Hillis, via The News. "And I remember going through my workout and felt like I was out of gas and about to pass out. But when you go from doing nothing to working out during the week, your legs get really sore. It takes a little time to get your legs back underneath you."
The Giants were winless prior to Monday. Hillis will likely have another game to audition for the running back job as David Wilson (neck) and Brandon Jacobs (hamstring) continue to recover from injuries.
Once both running backs are healthy, Hillis would be competing with Jacobs, another power-runner, for the job to complement the speedy Wilson.
New York visits the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, Oct. 27.
