Free agent cornerback Leon Hall underwent offseason back surgery to repair a disc injury, Bengals radio analyst Dave Lapham told ESPN 1530’s James Rapien today (link via Chris Wesseling of NFL.com). Hall, whose contract with Cincinnati expired in March, has yet to sign with another club despite drawing some interest.
The severity of the surgery isn’t known, but back issues aren’t the only health questions that the 31-year-old Hall has dealt with over the past few years. He’s suffered two torn Achilles since 2011, and though he’s been pretty durable otherwise (only five missed games outside of those two lost seasons), Hall has played through other ailments that have limited his effectiveness.
Nevertheless, Hall can still play — especially in the slot — and he’s the best free agent corner remaining on the market. Both the Cardinals and Cowboys have expressed interest earlier this offseason, and as Wesseling notes, the Dolphins could make sense as a destination given the presence of Vance Joseph (formerly the Bengals’ secondary coach and now Miami’s defensive coordinator). Hall, however, is thus far thought to have priced himself out of the Dolphins’ range.
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