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NFL Slaps Giants' Hill With 6-Game Suspension; QB Freeman Released

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) — New York Giants safety Will Hill was suspended for six games Friday by the NFL for violating the league's substance abuse policy.

Hill has failed three drug tests since 2012, and he lost an appeal for the latest infraction. He will be eligible to return on Oct. 13.

Hill was suspended for violating the performance enhancers policy two years ago, missing four games. He then missed the first four matches last season because of a substance abuse violation.

The Giants are expected to release Hill when his latest suspension ends.

Hill has played in just 24 games since being signed in 2012 as an undrafted free agent. He had two interceptions, returning one for a TD, and played well late last season.

A New Jersey product, Hill had a solid college career at Florida, but was not drafted because of off-field concerns. Last December, he was arrested, and police said they detected an odor of marijuana, though no drug charges were brought against Hill.

New York seemed prepared for Hill not being available, signing and drafting several defensive backs this year.

FREEMAN'S GIANTS CAREER ENDS

As evidenced by Eli Manning's unexpected quick return from offseason ankle surgery, the Giants never really had a role in mind for Josh Freeman.

The young quarterback was released Friday, just 40 days after he was signed as insurance.

Manning wasn't expected to participate until at least June's mandatory mini camp, but he surprised everyone by showing up to OTA workouts on Wednesday and Thursday and performing at a high level.

That forced the Giants to make a move and the fact that they kept Curtis Painter over Freeman suggests the former Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Minnesota Vikings signal-caller had no chance of winning any kind of job with Big Blue.

It appears Ryan Nassib, the Giants' fourth round pick last year out of Syracuse, is the clubhouse leader to be the backup heading into training camp.

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