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The question of how, or if, the New York Giants would clear space on their 53-man roster for safety Tyler Sash has been answered. And not in a way that had been anticipated. Sash was activated Monday afternoon and safety Will Hill has been suspended by the NFL for violating the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing substances.
Sash was suspended for the first four games for the same reason. Hill's suspension is effective immediately and he will be eligible to return to the active roster Nov. 5, after the team's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The drug Adderall is again reportedly the cause. Sash was suspended for Adderall use, as was running back Andre Brown. Brown, however, was able to get his suspension overturned.
Hill, a rookie signed as an undrafted free agent issued a statement through the team.
"I received a doctor's prescription for Adderall prior to signing with the Giants," Hill said. "Shortly after signing with the team, I was in a meeting with (director of player development) Charles Way, who reviewed the list of the league's banned substances. I knew at that point that this may be an issue. I was tested and the results came back that Adderall was in my system. I appealed but lost the appeal. I accept full responsibility for this situation, and it won't happen again. The Giants have given me a great opportunity when nobody else would, and I don't take that for granted. I feel badly this has happened. I will work hard and stay in great shape these next four weeks so I can come back and contribute to this team after my suspension."
Hill is a player with a troubled past who was given a chance by the Giants during the offseason.
Hill's role in the secondary had been increasing due to injuries, especially to safety Kenny Phillips. He played 34 defensive snaps Sunday against the Cleveland Browns, and forced a critical fumble on a kickoff return by Cleveland's Josh Cribbs that the Giants recovered. Hill has 11 tackles thus far this season.
Sash is a second-year player who was drafted in the sixth round last season. The Giants had to either activate him by 4 p.m. ET on Monday or waive him.