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Peyton Hillis, Buccaneers strike one-year contract

Published: Jul 23, 2013 at 10:40 AM

Peyton Hillis and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have struck a deal.

NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reported Hillis and the Bucs agreed to a one-year contract href=""> at the veteran minimum. The deal came together quickly Tuesday after the running back visited the team, which later announced that Hillis had signed.

Hillis brings fresh blood to a Bucs running back depth chart that was weakened when LaGarrette Blount was traded to the New England Patriots during the 2013 NFL Draft. The Bucs' best option behind Doug Martin had been the ~~immortal~~ very mortal Brian Leonard. Other options include Mike James, Michael Smith and track star Jeff Demps. To make room for Hillis, the Bucs released undrafted free agent running back Matt Brown.

The biggest question is what Hillis has left in the tank. He hasn't been relevant in the NFL since his breakout 2010 season that helped put him on the Madden video-game cover. Hillis had little impact last season with the Kansas City Chiefs, though he posted a 100-yard game in Week 16 last December and still is just 27.

Playing for the veteran minimum, Hillis certainly is worth a flier.

Follow Dan Hanzus on Twitter @DanHanzus.

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