Michael Hoecht Injury News & Updates

The Bills placed Hoecht on injured reserve Monday due to a torn right Achilles which will sideline him for the rest of the 2025, season, Alaina Getzenberg of ESPN.com reports.

Hoecht sustained a non-contact injury during the Bills' 28-21 win over the Chiefs on Sunday, and the fifth-year defensive end was diagnosed with a torn Achilles after being evaluated by medical staff. He made his 2025 debut in Week 7 after missing the first six games of the regular season while serving a suspension, and he'll end his first campaign in Buffalo with five tackles (two solo), including 2.0 sacks. With Hoecht done for the year, the Bills will turn to Javon Solomon, A.J. Espenesa and Landon Jackson to step up in rotational roles at defensive end behind Greg Rousseau and Joey Bosa.

Hoecht (Achilles) has been ruled out for the rest of Sunday's game against the Chiefs.

It was a non-contact injury for Hoecht, and the severity of the injury will be known once he undergoes more tests. A.J. Epenesa and Javon Solomon will see more rotational snaps at defensive end behind Joey Bosa and Greg Rousseau following Hoecht's exit from Sunday's game.

Hoecht recorded three total tackles (one solo), including 1.5 sacks, while also forcing a fumble in Sunday's 40-9 win over the Panthers.

Hoecht made his regular-season debut after missing the first six games while suspended for violating the NFL's policy regarding performance-enhancing substances. The defensive end was able to notch a strip-sack on Andy Dalton in the third quarter, which teammate Deone Walker recovered. He later combined with Walker to sack Dalton again in the fourth quarter.

The NFL lifted Hoecht's six-game suspension Tuesday, Alaina Getzenberg of ESPN.com reports.

Hoecht was suspended six games by the NFL in March for violating the league's policy regarding performance-enhancing substances. With the Bills sitting at 4-2 heading into the Week 7 bye, Hoecht will be eligible to make his 2025 regular-season debut in Week 8 against the Panthers on Sunday, Oct. 26. He signed a three-year contract with the Bills in March after spending the past four seasons with the Rams. He finished the 2024 regular season with 56 tackles (24 solo)m including 3.0 sacks, and two pass defenses across 17 games.

Bills general manager Brandon Beane said Friday that Hoecht has received a six-game suspension for violation of the NFL's policy regarding performance-enhancing substances, Matt Parrino of The Syracuse Post-Standard reports.

Hoecht and fellow free-agent signing Larry Ogunjobi will both miss the first six regular-season games of the 2025 campaign due to suspension, a development that hurts Buffalo's defensive-line rotation. With Hoecht unavailable to kick off the coming season, the Bills may be motivated to pursue additional depth behind Greg Rousseau and A.J. Epenesa.

Hoecht is slated to sign a three-year contract with the Bills, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

The 27-year-old former undrafted free agent out of Brown, Hoecht spent the last four seasons with the Rams, appearing in all 68 regular-season games during that span. He made 31 starts off the edge for Los Angeles and totaled 13.5 sacks, including 3.0 as a reserve last season. In Buffalo, Hoecht will provide depth off the edge behind Greg Rousseau and A.J. Epenesa.

Hoecht played in all 17 regular-season games in 2024 and finished with 56 tackles (24 solo), including 3.0 sacks, and two pass defenses. He added seven tackles (one solo), including 0.5 sacks, across the Rams' two playoff games.

Hoecht signed a one-year, $2.96 million contract in March of 2024 to return to the Rams after a career year in 2023, during which he logged career bests in combined tackles (81) and sacks (6.0). He spent most of the 2024 campaign in a rotational role at edge rusher behind Byron Young and Braden Fiske (knee), though Hoecht did manage to start in five of the Rams' six games between Week 7 and 11. The Rams have their edge rushers of the future in Fiske and Young, so it's unclear whether Hoecht will return in a rotational role or join another team when he enters the offseason as an unrestricted free agent.

Hoecht tallied seven tackles (two solo) during the Rams' 13-9 win over the Cardinals on Saturday.

Hoecht saw the field for 46 snaps (35 on defense, 11 on special teams) and finished fifth on the Rams in tackling. The fourth-year linebacker out of Brown has served in a rotational role behind Jared Verse and Byron Young for most of the regular season. Hoecht is up to 53 tackles (22 solo), including 3.0 sacks, and two pass defenses through 16 regular-season games, and he'll look to add to those totals against the Seahawks next Sunday.

Hoecht re-signed with the Rams on Monday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Los Angeles placed a right-of-first-refusal tender on Hoecht on March 13. He ultimately did not receive an offer sheet, so he has re-signed with the Rams as a result. The 26-year-old started 17 games and recorded 81 tackles (45 solo), six sacks, two passes defensed and one forced fumble in the process.

Hoecht has been tendered by the Rams.

By placing a one-year tender on the restricted free agent, the Rams will have the opportunity to match any contract offered to Hoecht by another team. Hoecht is still free to negotiate with other teams coming off a 2023 season in which he set career highs in tackles (81) and sacks (6.0).

Hoecht logged 81 tackles (45 solo), 6.0 sacks and two passes defended during the 2023 regular season over 17 games played.

After ending the 2022 campaign with a role as a starting outside linebacker, the Rams picked up Hoecht's exclusive rights free-agent tender to bring him back for a third season. Hoecht was a starter alongside Byron Young, and more than doubled his snap count from last season while easily setting career highs in tackles and sacks. One glaring issue with the duo was a lack of pash-rush win percentage, with Hoecht in particular at 11.1 percent (42nd out of 58 qualifying EDGE players), and edge rusher may be a position addressed by the team in the offseason, which could leave Hoecht looking for a new home in 2024.

Hoecht logged seven total tackles (three solo), including 0.5 sacks in Sunday's 26-25 win over the Giants.

The 26-year-old linebacker was the Rams' third-leading tackler in Week 17, and his seven tackles were tied for the most stops he's had in a single game this year. Hoecht has now started all 16 of Los Angeles' games thus far, logging 75 total tackles, including six tackles for loss and 5.0 sacks. He ranks top five on the Rams' defense in both sacks and tackles for loss this season, and he'll look to cause problems for the 49ers offense in Week 18.

Hoecht (knee) has no injury designation ahead of Sunday's game against the Commanders, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports.

Hoecht finished the week strong, logging a full practice session Friday and is good to go for Sunday's contest. He has 62 tackles (33 solo), including 4.5 sacks, and one forced fumble over 13 games this season.

Hoecht (knee) was estimated to be a limited participant in practice Wednesday, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports.

Hoecht has been dealing with a knee injury since Week 13, though it hasn't cost him any game action. The Rams held a "jog-through" Wednesday, so the linebacker's status for practice Thursday could be more indicative of whether he's likely to head into the weekend with an injury designation. Hoecht has tallied a career-high 62 tackles (33 solo), including 4.5 sacks, over 13 contests on the campaign.

Hoecht (knee) is active Sunday against the Ravens, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.

Hoecht was unable to practice this week, but he'll still take the field in Week 14. His ability to suit up for the matchup against Baltimore should be a boost to the Rams' linebacker corps.

Hoecht (knee) is listed as questionable ahead of Sunday's game against the Ravens, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.

Head coach Sean McVay told reporters Friday that he's expecting Hoecht to suit up for Sunday's contest, but he's officially listed as questionable, per Rodrigue. Hoecht has yet to practice this week though, and if he's unable to go in Week 14, Keir Thomas will likely see increased work in Los Angeles' linebacker corps.

Hoecht (knee) did not participate at the Rams' practice Wednesday, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports.

Hoecht was able to play through his knee injury in Week 13 versus the Browns, failing to record a stat while playing 61 defensive snaps, so his absence Wednesday isn't a major concern. The linebacker will look to return to practice before the end of the week ahead of Sunday's matchup with Baltimore.

Hoecht (knee) is active for Sunday's contest against the Browns, Adam Grosbard of The Orange County Register reports.

Hoecht popped up on the Rams' injury report Wednesday after logging a limited session. He did not practice Thursday or Friday but head coach Sean McVay told reporters Friday that he expected Hoecht to be available for Week 13, per Stu Jackson of the Rams' official site. Hoecht has 55 tackles (29 solo), including 4.5 sacks, and a forced fumble in 11 games this season.

Hoecht (knee) is questionable to face the Browns on Sunday, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

Hoecht notched a sack and played 70 percent of the Rams' defensive snaps Week 12 versus Arizona, though he emerged from the contest with a knee injury. The third-year pro followed Tuesday's limited practice with a pair of DNPs, but Rams coach Sean McVay said Friday that he expects Hoecht to play against the Browns, per Stu Jackson of the Rams' official site. If, however, Hoecht were to miss Week 13, Keir Thomas and/or Ochaun Mathis would likely see more work.

Hoecht (knee) did not participate in practice Thursday after participating on a limited basis Wednesday, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports.

Hoecht first appeared on the injury report Wednesday, but now he is trending down for Sunday's matchup with the Browns. The third-year pro has 55 tackles, including 4.5 sacks, a pass defensed and a forced fumble in 11 games this season.

Hoecht (knee) was a limited participant in Los Angeles' practice Wednesday, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports.

Hoecht popped up on the team's injury report Wednesday with a knee injury. The 26-year-old will look to play against the Browns on Sunday, and Keir Thomas should get the start if Hoecht ends up being unable to play.

Hoecht recorded five tackles (four solo) including a sack in Sunday's 37-14 win at the Cardinals.

Hoecht logged a sack for the third time in his last five games in Week 12 thanks in part to Arizona's 45 pass attempts in a blowout. The Browns don't figure to try to throw the ball nearly as much in Week 13, dampening Hoecht's projection for that contest somewhat.

Hoecht recorded two tackles (one solo), including a sack, in Sunday's 43-20 loss to the Cowboys.

Hoecht was able to snag at least one sack for the second straight week, compiling three combined quarterback takedowns over the last two contests. Through the first eight games of the season, the 26-year-old has registered a career-high 38 tackles, including 3.5 sacks, while also deflecting a pass and forcing a fumble.

Hoecht registered seven tackles (four solo), including two sacks, in the Rams' 24-17 loss to the Steelers on Sunday.

Hoecht had his best game of the 2023 campaign setting new highs for both tackles and sacks. The 26-year-old has so far made the most of his increased playing time this season and will look to continue producing this week versus the Cowboys.

Hoecht will remain in Los Angeles after the Rams picked up his exclusive rights free agent tender, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.

Hoecht played at outside linebacker for the back third of last season after Aaron Donald (ankle) was lost for the final stretch of the campaign. In his expanded role, the 25-year-old was impressive enough for the Rams to offer him a tender and ultimately prevent him from negotiating with other teams. It appears likely that Hoecht could remain in his role as an outside linebacker headed into the 2023 season. The 6-foot-4, 310-pounder finished last season with 36 tackles (23 solo), 4.5 sacks, and one forced fumble.

Hoecht recorded five tackles (three solo), a sack, a quarterback hit and a tackle for loss during Sunday's 19-16 overtime loss to the Seahawks.

The final game for Hoecht under his current contract with the Rams saw the second-year defensive end continue his strong late-season play. A key play came right before the end of the first half, as Hoecht brought down Geno Smith for a sack with under a minute remaining in the second quarter, which led to a three-and-out from the Seahawks. Hoecht saw his playing time spike significantly from Week 12 on, after Aaron Donald (ankle) was lost for the season, and he responded with 34 tackles, 4.5 sacks and a forced fumble during that span. Hoecht will be an exclusive rights free agent after the season, and with Donald's future in the league potentially in doubt, signing Hoecht to a deal after his impressive play in relief may be a priority for the Rams.

Hoecht recorded three tackles (two solo), 1.5 sacks, two quarterback hits and one tackle for loss during Sunday's 51-14 victory against the Broncos.

Hoecht's fifth straight game as a starter for the Rams paid dividends again for the second-year linebacker, as he recorded a full sack of Russell Wilson late in the third quarter, then one play later split another sack with Jonah Williams. In the five-game span that Hoecht has had an increased role, he boasts 22 combined tackles, 3.5 sacks and a forced fumble.

Hoecht recorded three solo tackles and two sacks during Sunday's 27-23 loss to the Seahawks.

Hoecht has made the most of his time on the field in the last two weeks while replacing Terrell Lewis (back), and the second-year defensive tackle was able to net the first two sacks of his career in response, including forcing a fumble from Geno Smith that was recovered by the Rams. While Lewis may return soon, Hoecht has likely forced himself into the conversation for playing time with his pair of strong performances.