Injuries are commonplace in the NFL, but the players are usually the ones leaving the field for treatment. This was not the case on Thursday night as a referee had to be carted off after a non-contact injury.
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The play occurred during the third quarter as the Houston Texans and Buffalo Bills battled for the win. Referee Adrian Hill stood in the end zone during a punt, and then he began running toward the players. However, he began hopping only on his right leg after a couple of steps.
Referee Adrian Hill in the #Bills-#Texans game suffered a non-contact injury and had to be carted off. pic.twitter.com/6zTHla9eN2
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) November 21, 2025
Hill had to be helped from the field by members of the Houston Texans training staff. He then rode on the cart and left the sidelines to undergo tests. Umpire Roy Ellison then took over as referee while donning the white hat.
With Hill sidelined by the injury, the game continued as the Texans defense battered Bills quarterback Josh Allen. This unit sacked the reigning MVP eight times while also forcing three turnovers. This performance propelled the Texans to a 23-19 win and a 6-5 record.
Hill has spent nearly two decades roaming the field as an NFL official. He started as a line judge, side judge, and field judge before being promoted to referee.
He has had countless conversations — cordial and heated alike — with numerous NFL coaches and coordinators. This includes Mike Singletary, Anthony Lynn, Freddie Kitchens, Jason Garrett, and Bill O'Brien. He also got in the middle of a confrontation between Cam Newton and Kyle Van Noy.
Hill is not the only official who has had to leave the field due to an injury or medical emergency. Last season, a member of the chain gang collapsed on the field during a game between the Ravens and Raiders. Medical officials administered CPR before carting him off the field. The Ravens later provided an update saying he was awake and alert.
Back in 2023, a member of the chain gang suffered a leg injury during a game against the Saints and Lions. Running back Alvin Kamara rolled up on his leg after being forced out of bounds. He had to be taken from the field on a stretcher with an air cast on his leg.
