LB Leroy Hill returning to Seahawks

Published on July 29, 2011 by     

Linebacker Leroy Hill has reached an agreement to return to the Seattle Seahawks.

Hill has played the previous six seasons in Seattle, and his return is the latest twist in what has been a tumultuous two years with the team.

Originally designated the team’s franchise player in 2009, the Seahawks pulled that designation after drafting Aaron Curry, only to re-sign Hill to a long-term deal.

That deal was at risk of being voided after Hill was arrested twice in less than a year, first in Georgia when he was charged after police found marijuana in his car, and later on an allegation of domestic violence.

He was never found guilty of the latter charge, and in fact it will be dismissed so long as he complies with court stipulations for 18 months after the August 2010 ruling.

Hill’s contract was renegotiated before last season, making him a free agent at the end of the year. He played only one game in 2010 after suffering an injury to his Achilles in the season-opener. It continued a trend in which he’s had difficulty staying healthy. Hill missed four games in 2008 after suffering a neck stinger, and was out five games in 2009 — one because of a league suspension and four because of a injury.

Hill, 28, was a wrecking ball at the weakside linebacker his first three seasons.

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