Taysom Hill made two tackles Sunday in his first NFL regular-season action.
The Pocatello native and Highland High School graduate, who is a backup quarterback for the New Orleans Saints, saw his first on-field action on special teams in his team’s 31-21 home win against the Carolina Panthers.
Saints coach Sean Payton said “it just made sense” because Hill, who was undrafted out of BYU, is 6-foot-2, 221 pounds and runs well.
Hill also almost blocked a punt.
“I love it. What a stud,” Saints starting quarterback Drew Brees told the Associated Press. “It’s not every day you say, ‘Hey quarterback who’s never played special teams — ever. We’re going to have you play in an NFL game and run down on kickoffs and rushing punts and tackling people.’”
Hill spent the preseason with the Green Bay Packers, but was cut after the preseason ended and signed by New Orleans. He is listed as the Saints’ No. 3 quarterback behind veterans Brees and Chase Daniel. Hill last recorded a tackle in 2016 with BYU.
“It was really fun,” Hill told the AP after the game.
“We were looking at the inactive portion of the roster and you get over to that list and say, ‘All right, who can help us in the kicking game?” Payton recalled. “He did well.”
The Saints (9-3) are in first place in the NFC South Division and play next Sunday at Atlanta.