Buffalo Bills Lose Nyheim Hines to Season-Ending Knee Injury
The Buffalo Bills have been dealt a significant blow before the start of training camp. Running back Nyheim Hines has suffered a knee injury that is expected to sideline him for the entire season, according to a source. Hines, who was set to be the team’s primary kick and punt returner, as well as compete for playing time at running back, will now be forced to miss the entire season.
Hines, 26, was acquired by the Bills in a trade with the Indianapolis Colts last year. The Bills traded running back Zack Moss and a fifth-round pick in exchange for Hines. During the 2022 season, Hines saw limited action on offense, finishing with just 13 total touches.
The loss of Hines leaves a void in the Bills’ running back room. The team had already made significant changes to the position this offseason, acquiring Damien Harris and Latavius Murray. Second-year back James Cook was also expected to have an increased role in the offense. However, with Hines out for the season, undrafted free agent Jordan Mims could now have an opportunity to make an impact during training camp.
Bills general manager Brandon Beane expressed disappointment over Hines’ lack of touches last season but remained optimistic about his potential impact in the future. Beane believes that a full offseason will allow Hines to become more familiar with the team’s playbook and contribute more on offense.
In addition to his offensive role, Hines was a key contributor on special teams. He recorded 16 punt returns and 19 kick returns during the regular season. Two of those returns were memorable moments in Bills history, as Hines returned two kickoffs for touchdowns in the final game of the regular season against the New England Patriots.
The loss of Hines will undoubtedly be felt by the Bills, both on offense and special teams. The team may look to add another running back to the roster to provide depth and fill the void left by Hines’ injury.
The Bills will begin training camp this week, with veterans reporting on Tuesday and the first practice scheduled for Wednesday at St. John Fisher University in Rochester, New York.
Hines’ injury comes after the team restructured his contract this offseason to reduce his salary cap hit. The restructuring saved the team approximately $1.3 million in cap space this year. Hines also received a $1 million signing bonus as part of the restructured deal.
The news of Hines’ injury was first reported by the NFL Network. The Bills will now have to adjust their plans for training camp and the upcoming season without one of their key players.
In conclusion, the Buffalo Bills have suffered a significant setback with the season-ending knee injury to running back Nyheim Hines. Hines, who was expected to contribute on offense and special teams, will now be forced to miss the entire season. The loss of Hines leaves a void in the Bills’ running back room and will require the team to make adjustments during training camp. Despite the setback, the Bills remain optimistic about Hines’ future impact and will look to fill the void left by his injury.