Bills' Nyheim Hines: Makes biggest mark on special teams
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Between seven regular-season starts with the Colts and nine with the Bills, Hines rushed 24 times for 33 yards and one TD while posting a 30-241-1 line in the passing game during the 2022 season.
Hines made a bigger mark in the return game, especially in his time with the Bills following the trade for Zack Moss, finishing with 554 yards on kickoff returns and a 29.0 average to go with 264 punt return yards and a 9.8 average. Hines also returned two kickoffs for scores in a memorable game during the Bills' first contest following the Damar Hamlin incident. The Bills seem to like the speed and versatility Hines brings to the table, though his modest value would go up only if free-agent teammate Devin Singletary departs for greener pastures this offseason.
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Bills' Nyheim Hines: Returns two kicks for touchdowns
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Hines scored two touchdowns and accounted for 241 all-purpose yards in Sunday's 35-23 victory over the Patriots.
Hines staked the Bills to an early 7-0 lead, bringing back the opening kickoff for a 96-yard score. The 26-year-old later returned another kickoff for a 101-yard score in third quarter, putting Buffalo back on top 21-17 after the team had just fallen behind for the first time in the game. With the second touchdown, Hines became the first player since Leon Washington to score multiple kickoff return touchdowns in the same contest, with Washington achieving the feat with the Seahawks in 2010. Since being acquired from the Colts in November, Hines hasn't made much of an impression on offense as a change-of-pace back behind Devin Singletary and James Cook, but the 26-year-old should continue to provide a major lift in the return game.
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Bills' Nyheim Hines: Maintains limited role
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Hines carried once for three yards and recorded a four-yard reception in Sunday's 20-12 win over the Jets.
After logging 21 snaps a week earlier in the Bills' 14-point win over the Patriots, Hines saw his playing time drop off a bit in a more competitive Week 14 contest. He took the field for nine snaps on offense, well behind starter Devin Singletary (27) and ascending rookie James Cook (22). Though Cook was held to 15 total yards on five touches against the Jets, his strong performances in recent weeks should be enough to keep him ahead of Hines on the depth chart for the foreseeable future.
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Bills' Nyheim Hines: Back at practice following illness
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Hines (illness) returned to practice Monday, Alaina Getzenberg of ESPN.com reports.
Hines was one of numerous Bills players that were sidelined for Sunday's team workout due to an illness following their narrow win over the Lions on Thanksgiving Day. However, the running back was back in the mix Monday and doesn't appear to be in any danger of missing Thursday's matchup against New England. Regardless, since joining Buffalo at the trade deadline, Hines has rushed twice for negative five yards and failed to haul in his only target, though he has emerged as a solid return man.
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Bills' Nyheim Hines: Battling illness
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Hines isn't participating during the Bills' team workout Sunday due to an illness, Alaina Getzenberg of ESPN.com reports.
Following the Bills' Thanksgiving Day win over the Lions, Hines is one of several Bills players who is sitting out the unofficial Sunday practice session due to an illness. The severity of Hines' ailment isn't known, but he'll at least have a few days to move past the illness before the Bills return to action with another Thursday game Week 13 versus the Patriots. Since being acquired from the Colts on Nov. 1, Hines has held a minimal role with his new team outside of the return game. In his first three games with Buffalo, Hines has played 19 total snaps on offense and has accounted for four yards on three touches (two carries, one reception).
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Bills' Nyheim Hines: One carry on Thanksgiving
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Hines rushed once for three yards in Thursday's 28-25 win over the Lions.
Hines finished fifth on the team in carries, trailing fellow running backs Devin Singletary (14) and James Cook (two) as well as quarterback Josh Allen (10) and wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie (two). Buffalo seems to have traded for Hines primarily due to his special teams prowess rather than to use him on offense; Hines added a 26-yard kickoff return in the Thanksgiving Day win.
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Bills' Nyheim Hines: Mostly limited to return duties
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Hines rushed once for negative-8 yards and did not bring in his only target in the Bills' Week 11 win over the Browns in Detroit. He also gained 37 yards on two punt returns and 76 yards on three kickoff returns.
Hines made an impact as a kick returner in the contest, but that doesn't translate to production in most fantasy leagues. While the veteran running back did see a slight uptick in snaps (10) in comparison to his first two games with Buffalo, he generated negative fantasy points since his only carry resulted in an eight-yard loss. Initial optimism about Hines' potential in Buffalo's prolific offense has all but disappeared now that it's clear he's primarily being viewed as a special-teams contributor.
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Bills' Nyheim Hines: Low usage in Bills debut
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Hines received just a handful of snaps on offense Sunday and did not record a catch or carry.
Hines did have a nice punt return for 18 yards, but as expected he's not going to have a major role in the offense until he gets up to speed with his new system and playbook. While Hines should start to get more looks in the passing game, Josh Allen and Devin Singletary should continue to pick up the bulk of the carries.
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Bills' Nyheim Hines: Being eyed for punt returns
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General manager Brandon Beane stated that Hines, acquired by the Bills at the trade deadline earlier this week, is expected to work in the punt return game Sunday against the Jets, Chris Brown of the Bills official site reports.
It would have been nice if Beane spelled out what Hines is going to do in the actual offense, but for now we have to assume he's a co-No. 2 with rookie James Cook, with each player offering something valuable but not enough to hog up the playing time. Hines has more pass-catching experience than Cook or starter Devin Singletary, though neither of Hines' new teammates is a slouch in that area either. The Bills have made a few references to Hines needing to get up to speed with the playbook, so the most likely scenario Week 9 seems to be him having a key special teams role with a sprinkle of plays in the offense. He's a risky fantasy start until we see how things go for the next couple of games.
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Colts' Nyheim Hines: Week 9 Waiver Priority List
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The Bills traded for Nyheim Hines on Tuesday, and he's expected to be the complementary option in Buffalo's backfield to Devin Singletary. It wouldn't be a surprise if he ends up being better than Singletary given Hines' likely work in the passing game in Buffalo's pass-heavy offense. Hines was underused in Indianapolis this season with just 18 carries and 25 catches on 28 targets, but that should change with the Bills. I expect Hines to be in the flex conversation immediately, starting in Week 9 at the Jets. He's worth adding for at least 10 percent of your remaining FAB.
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Bills' Nyheim Hines: Moving on to Buffalo
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The Colts agreed to trade Hines to the Bills on Tuesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Buffalo has been reliant on Devin Singletary out of the backfield this season, as he has 94 touches versus 53 combined for rookie James Cook and Zack Moss, the latter of whom is going back to Indy in this deal, per Jay Glazer of Fox Sports. With Hines on board, though, the offense now has a steady receiving threat at running back. For his career, Hines has reeled in 78 percent of his 300 targets at a clip of 7.3 yards per catch while also averaging 4.0 yards per carry and scoring 17 TDs in 72 games across five seasons.
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Colts' Nyheim Hines: Totals 49 yards
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Hines recorded five rushes for 20 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 17-16 loss to the Commanders. He added two receptions for 29 yards.
Hines saw a season-high five rushing attempts with Jonathan Taylor briefly sidelined by an ankle injury. The former was also surprisingly given a goal-line carry early in the fourth quarter with Taylor serving as his lead blocker on the play. Hines' other highlight came on an over-the-shoulder catch for 22 yards one possession earlier. Hines will remain involved in the offense moving forward, but barring an ongoing injury to Taylor, he is unlikely to see more than 10 touches regularly.
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Colts' Nyheim Hines: Involved as pass catcher
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Hines tallied four rushes for two yards in Sunday's 19-10 loss to the Titans. He added five receptions on five targets for 41 yards.
Hines returned from a one-game absence and immediately stepped back into his typical role as a change-of-pace back. He continued to be a non-factor as a rusher, as he now has 13 attempts for 16 yards on the season. Hines was more impressive as a pass catcher, with his longest reception of the day going for 14 yards. Hines has at least four catches in four of his six games this season -- he exited on the first possession in Week 5 -- and should continue to hold a consistent role as a pass catcher out of the backfield moving forward.
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Colts' Nyheim Hines: Set to play in Week 7
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Hines doesn't carry an injury designation into Sunday's game against the Titans.
This development was expected after Hines cleared the concussion protocol. Hines suffered the concussion Week 5 but practiced fully in all three of the Colts' practices this week after sitting out Week 6. Fellow running back Jonathan Taylor (ankle) also has been cleared to return this weekend.
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Colts' Nyheim Hines: Clears concussion protocol
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Hines has cleared the NFL's concussion protocol, per coach Frank Reich, James Boyd of The Athletic reports.
Hines has cleared the final hurdle standing between him and suiting up Week 7 against the Titans after sitting out the Colts' previous game. Reich expressed optimism that both Hines and Jonathan Taylor (ankle) will return from their respective injuries Sunday, which would leave Hines in his usual change-of-pace role while potentially knocking Deon Jackson (quadriceps) out of the game plan on offense.
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Colts' Nyheim Hines: Another full practice
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Hines (concussion) practiced fully Wednesday.
Hines was also listed as a full participant this past Friday before being ruled out ahead of the Colts' game against the Jaguars on Sunday. Barring any setbacks, Hines is on track to suit up this weekend against the Titans, though how heavy a workload he might take on hinges in part on the status of Jonathan Taylor (ankle), who was limited at practice Wednesday. Meanwhile, No. 3 back Deon Jackson (quadriceps) -- who led the Colts' Week 6 rushing attack in the absence of Taylor and Hines -- logged a full session.
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Colts' Nyheim Hines: At practice Wednesday
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Hines (concussion) was present for Wednesday's practice, James Boyd of The Athletic reports.
Jonathan Taylor (ankle) and Deon Jackson (quadriceps) were also dressed for practice Wednesday, which suggests that the Colts could have each their top three backs available this Sunday against the Titans. Taylor has missed the Colts' past two games, while Hines played just three snaps Week 5 against the Broncos before exiting with the concussion that sidelined him for the Week 6 win over the Jaguars.
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Colts' Nyheim Hines: Not playing Sunday
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Hines (concussion) was downgraded to out Saturday ahead of Sunday's game against the Jaguars.
Hines was able to ditch the red jersey during Friday's practice, but the multi-faceted back ultimately was unable to clear the fifth and final stage of the league's concussion protocol. Jonathan Taylor (ankle) was also ruled out ahead of Sunday's contest meaning Deon Jackson is likely set to start, with practice squad call-ups Phillip Lindsay and D'Vonte Price possibly contributing as well.
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Colts' Nyheim Hines: Still limited at practice
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Hines (concussion) remained limited at practice Thursday.
Per Zak Keefer of The Athletic, Hines continued to practice in a red non-contact jersey Thursday, suggesting that the running back has yet to fully clear the NFL's concussion protocols. Friday's injury report will reveal whether Hines and/or top back Jonathan Taylor (ankle, limited) approach Sunday's game against the Jaguars with injury designations or cleared for Week 6 action.
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Colts' Nyheim Hines: Ruled out with concussion
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Hines has been ruled out for the rest of Thursday's game against the Broncos due to a concussion, Joel A. Erickson of The Indianapolis Star reports.
Hines sustained the injury on the Colts' opening drive of the game and was immediately taken to the locker room to be evaluated for a concussion. He will need to clear league protocols prior to returning to action, which could occur for a Week 6 matchup against Jacksonville. Deon Jackson and Phillip Lindsay will take over the work in the backfield.
