NEW YORK -- As he faces a hefty suspension that could threaten his NFL career, Giants safety Will Hill has maintained his innocence to teammates.

Hill has already been suspended twice for drug-related suspensions, once for Adderall in 2012 and for marijuana in 2013. He's appealing the latest failed test.

"Will is a guy that has definitely had his struggles, as well as anyone of us within this league," Giants safety Antrel Rolle said on Tuesday night at the United Way of New York City's Gridiron Gala that raised almost $2 million for the city's youth. "Right now, I've spoken to Will several times and he's said, 'Antrel, I've been clean.' Right now, I have no choice but to go off what he says. Until we find out otherwise …"

There is no known timetable on Hill's appeal. The league declined comment on his situation and an inquiry to Hill's agent was not returned as of Wednesday morning.

Hill is coming off a breakout season. He started 10 games and was rated Pro Football Focus' second-best safety in 2013.

Hill, 24, has continued to work out at the Giants' facility as he awaits word on his status. He has not missed a workout and, by all accounts, has remained upbeat about his future with the team.

"He's all right," Rolle said. "Only that person knows what he has and hasn't done. And his attitude hasn't changed, his demeanor hasn't changed. The way he's been carrying himself hasn't changed. That is all we have right now."

The Giants have certainly covered their backside in case Hill is not around this season. They signed Quintin Demps and re-signed Stevie Brown this offseason. They also drafted San Diego State's Nat Berhe in the fifth round on Saturday.

Hill's troubles (see the long list here) are nothing new. The former St. Peters Prep star and Star-Ledger Player of the Year was caught with marijuana and suspended for violating team rules at the University of Florida. He has since been suspended twice in his short NFL career.

Rolle and other veteran Giants (and ex-Giants) have tried to help. They kept in touch with Hill during the offseason in an attempt to keep him out of trouble.

"I've been speaking to Will quite frequently in the offseason," Rolle said. "I'm sure other guys, like Deon Grant, have reached out to him. You just check up on him and make sure everything is all right, just make sure he's taking care of himself.

"As far as I know this offseason, he was pretty good, he was staying straight and he was taking care what he needed to. He was training hard, working out hard, so we don't really know anything until we know."

That is the problem with the NFL's offseason rules. Teams and coaches can only do so much to keep troubled players in line. Rules prohibit them from meeting regularly with players in the offseason.

It's something that has drawn some criticism of late. Ravens coach John Harbaugh expressed his dissatisfaction with the restrictions at the NFL Meetings several months back. Other coaches have also balked at the limitations.

The Giants were crossing their fingers with Hill this offseason, a team source told NJ.com at the NFL Combine. They thought it would have been beneficial to everyone involved if Hill were able to check in regularly with his coaches throughout the offseason. But he wasn't, and now faces another suspension that could end his run with the Giants.

As Rolle sees it, there is only so much you can do. Sometimes, the player needs to take responsibility for himself and his career.

"At the end of the of the day, an adult has to be an adult," Rolle said. "Will has to be accountable for his own life. Will has to be smart enough and alert enough to know the dos and don'ts of this league.

"Like I said, he's told us he's been walking a straight line, so that is what I'm going off right now."