{"id":239060,"date":"2025-07-08T17:52:03","date_gmt":"2025-07-08T21:52:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?p=239060"},"modified":"2025-07-08T17:52:03","modified_gmt":"2025-07-08T21:52:03","slug":"nyheim-hines-eyeing-return-after-2-year-absence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2025\/07\/08\/nyheim-hines-eyeing-return-after-2-year-absence\/","title":{"rendered":"Nyheim Hines Eyeing Return After 2 Year Absence"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Many NFL fans wonder what happened to <\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/tag\/nyheim-hines\/page\/2\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Nyheim Hines,\u00a0 <\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">a<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0former 2018 4th-round pick <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">who last played in 2022, splitting the 2022 season <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">with<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> the Indianapolis Colts and Buffalo Bills.<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> In 2024 Hines was signed by the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/category\/nfl-teams\/browns\/\" target=\"_self\">Cleveland Browns<\/a> but was never activated off injured reserve and later released. <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">According to NFL insider <\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/AdamSchefter\/status\/1942294470361317457\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Adam Schefter<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">, Former Bills and Colts running back Nyheim Hines is looking to return after a two-year absence due to a jet ski accident <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">in 2023, where he tore his<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> ACL.<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> Adam Schefter also reported that Hines says he is <a  href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/AdamSchefter\/status\/1942294470361317457\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">ready to return to action<\/a> and wants to sign with a team before training camp starts.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h1><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Nyheim Hines Thinks He Is Finally Healthy and Ready to Sign With a Team Following His ACL Injury<\/span><\/h1>\n<h2><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Hines: A Career Backup\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_239144\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-239144\" style=\"width: 640px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-239144\" src=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/07\/Nyheim-Hines-1-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Nyheim Hines\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/07\/Nyheim-Hines-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/07\/Nyheim-Hines-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/07\/Nyheim-Hines-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/07\/Nyheim-Hines-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/07\/Nyheim-Hines-1-2048x1366.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/07\/Nyheim-Hines-1-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/07\/Nyheim-Hines-1-1200x800.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-239144\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Dec 24, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Buffalo Bills running back Nyheim Hines (20) spins away from Chicago Bears defensive back Kyler Gordon (6) in the fourth quarter at Soldier Field. Buffalo defeated Chicago 35-13. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Hines Spent most of his career on the Colts, backing up Marlon Mack and star running back <\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/tag\/jonathan-taylor\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Jonathan Taylor<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">. Despite not receiving many opportunities on the ground, Hines has always been a productive receiving back, topping over 300 receiving yards in four out of his five years in the NFL. Hines was also a special-teams contributor where he returns punts and kicks. In 2020, Hines returned a career-high 30 punts for 300 yards. The next two years he had 20+ returns in both years. Hines also had two punt return touchdowns in 2019 and two kick return touchdowns in 2022 showcasing his ability to make splash plays with the ball in his hands.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Nyheim Hines Eyeing <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Return,<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> Could be A Fit For These Teams:<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Kansas City Chiefs-\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The Chiefs are always looking for a depth receiving back. Despite having <\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/tag\/isiah-pacheco\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Isiah Pacheco<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> and Kareem Hunt, those running backs are more power-bruising running backs and the Chiefs can use a receiving back like Hines. Hines can play a similar role <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">that Damien<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> Williams and <\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/tag\/jerick-mckinnon\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Jerick McKinnon<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> played when they were both on the Chiefs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">New Orleans <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Saints-<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Hines would be a nice backup to star running back <\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/tag\/alvin-kamara\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Alvin Kamara<\/span><\/a> <span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">where<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> he can play a similar role.<\/span> <span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Kamara, known for his receiving abilities, is turning 30 this season and the Saints may want to <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">tone down<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> the snaps he plays to keep him healthy.<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> Hines would likely play an insurance back role and fill in when Kamara needs a breather to keep Kamara fresh.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Los Angeles Rams-\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The Rams have star running back<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/tag\/kyren-williams\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> Kyren Williams<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> and his backup Blake Corum who plays very similar,\u00a0 bruiser style.<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/tag\/matthew-stafford\/\" target=\"_self\"> Matthew Stafford<\/a> and the Rams can use a receiving back like Hines for check-downs to ease the blitz from opposing defenses or just another target for Stafford in general. Rams head coach Sean McVay would have no issues drawing up certain plays for Hines to be open.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Great Depth Piece For Any Team That Lands Hines<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">In summation, Nyheim Hines is Eyeing a Return to the NFL after a long layoff.\u00a0 <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The veteran running back will be a <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">nice<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> depth addition to any team <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">that is<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> willing to sign him as he can play a backup role, punt returner, and even kick <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">returner<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">.<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> His versatility and explosiveness with the ball in his hands will make teams interested in signing him. He will also be a valuable asset to any playoff-caliber team in need of depth.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"><em>Main Image: Jamie Germano &#8211; Imagn Images<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Nyheim Hines is eyeing a return to the NFL after a two-year absence. The veteran running-back is healthy and hoping to sign before training camp starts.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5513,"featured_media":239143,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[36],"tags":[7811,7473,246,3825,7659],"class_list":["post-239060","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nfl-news","tag-chiefs-featured","tag-los-angeles-rams-news","tag-nfl-news","tag-nyheim-hines","tag-saints-featured"],"modified_by":"Isaac Zuniga","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/239060","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5513"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=239060"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/239060\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":239146,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/239060\/revisions\/239146"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/239143"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=239060"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=239060"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=239060"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}