Nyheim Hines – Syndication Server

Browns’ signing of Nyheim Hines looks brilliant after kickoff rule change

The signing of Nyheim Hines looks far more important now…

The NFL has adopted the XFL’s kickoff rules, and the Cleveland Browns come out as winners after the signing of running back and return specialist Nyheim Hines.

He was added for just the cost of $3.5 million in 2024, and the running back and Hines has experience working with both offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey and special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone.

And Hines’ impact might be felt far more as a returner than it will on offense after the NFL adopted a new kickoff rule to allow for more returns and to penalize touchbacks.

You can read about the new kickoff rules here.

Hines, of course, had the notable game in Buffalo in 2022 where he returned two kickoffs for touchdowns in the same 60 minutes. The veteran returner and receiving back also has two punt return touchdowns in his career.

According to Sumer Sports’ Tej Seth, Hines is third among all returners over the past two years with a minimum of 10 returns in average return yards.

highest average return yards on kickoffs, 2022-23 (min. 10 returns):

1. dallis flowers, 28.2
2. keisean nixon, 28.2
3. nyheim hines, 28.0
4. jamal agnew, 28.0
5. velus jones, 27.4 https://t.co/KGGfF1vHGx

— Tej Seth (@tejfbanalytics) March 26, 2024

There is a real chance the Browns and general manager Andrew Berry saw this rule change coming down the pipeline and went out of their way to add an explosive returnman as a result.

Can Hines make a big splash not only out of the backfield as a receiver but as a return specialist as well?

Browns reportedly adding RB/KR Nyheim Hines on one-year deal

The Browns have added anther running back/returnman.

The newest NFL rumor is that the Cleveland Browns have added a return man who has experience under their current special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone as Nyheim Hines has reportedly agreed to a one-year deal.

The Browns have tried to add a return specialist in the past, but former player Jakeem Grant suffered two season-ending injuries in two seasons in Cleveland. They will give it another go this year with Hines at the helm, who also suffered a season-ending ACL injury suffered in a jet ski accident.

Returning two kicks for touchdowns in 2022, Hines is a threat in the third phase of the game. He has also returned two punts for touchdowns as well.

Hines also brings value as a receiver out of the backfield. Throughout his NFL career, Hines has caught 240 passes for the Indianapolis Colts and Buffalo Bills. While he has experience playing out of the backfield, do not expect this signing to take the Browns out of the running back market.

Bills to release RB Nyheim Hines to create salary cap space

#Bills to release RB Nyheim Hines to create salary cap space:

The Buffalo Bills have created some additional salary cap space by reportedly releasing running back Nyheim Hines.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the 27-year-old is going to officially be released by the team this upcoming week. Releasing the back will free up $4.6 million in cap space while adding only $500,000 in dead cap.

Hines was acquired by the Bills just before the 2022 NFL trade deadline from the Indianapolis Colts for running back Zack Moss and a conditional sixth-round pick in the 2023 NFL draft.

Last season, Hines did not play at all for Buffalo. During the 2023 offseason, suffered a leg injury in a jet ski incident which caused him to miss the entire past season.

Prior to releasing Hines, the Bills were approximately $40M over the 2024 NFL salary cap. The savings on the cap Buffalo will receive in cutting Hines is likely the motivating factor behind the move. The Bills might have approached Hines about a pay cut after he missed last year, but that’s just speculation.

During his time in Buffalo, Hines mostly contributed on the Bills’ special teams unit. As a kick returner, Hines returned 19 kicks in 2022 for the Bills for an average of 29.2 yards.

During that spell, he returned two kickoffs for touchdowns against the New England Patriots at home. One of which was the first play the Bills had in a game since Damar Hamlin’s cardiac arrest.

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Bills’ Nyheim Hines breaks silence on season-ending preseason incident

Some recent updates on Nyheim Hines:

On July 24, Nyheim Hines suffered an off-field season-ending injury.

And 120 days later, he publicly shared all the trials, tribulations, and mental anguish he suffered in that time to The Athletic.

Hines was traded to the Buffalo Bills from the Indianapolis Colts in 2022. Former Bills running back Zack Moss, who had a strong rookie year before injuries curtailed his availability, was the piece going the other way.

Hines became a part of Bills folklore with not one, but two kickoff returns for a touchdown last season against the New England Patriots, and general manager Brandon Beane expected Hines to feature more in the offense after his success in the special teams in 2022.

“It’s not like I can go out and find another Nyheim Hines.” said Beane after the accident when asked by reporters how he plans to replace the injured running back.

Some expected Hines to feature more this season as well. Unfortunately, one hot July day on the lake would change everything.

The details of what happened were always a little unclear. It was understood that there was a jet ski accident that was the cause of injury, and that he would be unavailable for the rest of the season. A huge blow to his continued success here at Buffalo.

In the incident, one of Hines’ friends did not see him turn his jet ski on the water and crashed into him going somewhere between 20 and 40 mph. Then when Hines when to go workout, somehow his leg, the side of his body not contacted by the other jet ski, was bothering him.

A MRI result showed Hines tore the ACL and LCL in his left knee.

Per Hines, he was bare even using the water craft that weekend, he just wanted to be a good friend and fill it with more gas for everyone else. Then the accident.

Hines detailed a difficult rehab process, specifically the first two weeks after his surgery.

“This will be a heck of a story when it’s over, I’m gonna make sure of it.” said Hines.

At one time, there was speculation that Hines and the Bills were at odds. Turns out, they are not. After placing a player on the NFI list, a team doesn’t need to pay him.

But in the end, good faith in Buffalo paid out. According to The Athletic’s report, Hines and the Bills agreed upon a sum and all-in-all, he’s motivated to make 2024 count even more now.

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Bills RB Nyheim Hines undergoes surgery

#Bills RB Nyheim Hines undergoes surgery:

The recovery process for Nyheim Hines has begun.

According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Hines underwent surgery on Tuesday to repair the ACL injury he sustained this offseason.

It was revealed on July 24 that Hines had a freak jet skiing accident this offseason that led to the injury.

In wake of the Hines news, the Bills signed free agent running back Darrynton Evans to replace Hines. Only a short time into his career in Buffalo, Evans is currently down the depth chart the team released this week. Damien Harris and Latavius Murray look close to locks regarding depth positions in the Bills backfield.

Without Hines in the return game, Deonte Harty looks set to takeover as the top return man in Buffalo as well.

Typically such an injury takes around a year to fully recover from. While a tough blow for the 26-year-old, Hines will have plenty of time to rehab and get back on the field in 2024.

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Darrynton Evans would even ‘go fill a water bottle’ if the Bills asked

Darrynton Evans would even ‘go fill a water bottle’ if the #Bills asked:

After taking the long scenic route to begin his NFL career, Darrynton Evans is ready to stick around with the Buffalo Bills.

No matter what it takes.

Evans got his chance in Buffalo when he was signed right at the start of training camp. That came after Nyheim Hines sustained a season-ending knee injury. While not wishing that on anyone, Evans is grateful for the chance to make a NFL roster once again, even if that means doing whatever it takes.

“The main thing really is just coming in, finding my role and being there for these guys wherever they need me,” Evans told the Buffalo News. “They could tell me to go fill a water bottle and I’m going to go do it. That’s the type of guy I am.”

Early in camp, Evans joins Buffalo’s backfield but special teams unit as well. The 25-year-old can return kicks and is getting a look there. That’s another hole Hines’ departure leaves and thus far, the Bills are giving up to four players, including Evans, a chance to prove they are the best man for the job.

“(Evans) is a speed guy. He’s had a few injuries that set him back at the start of his career,” Beane said via video conference. “He’s another guy that can catch it out of the backfield and has home run juice ability. We’ll give him a chance and see how he does.”

Evans began his career in 2020 with the Tennessee Titans but only played in six games over his first two seasons due to injury. Evans was then claimed by the Chicago Bears but spent time between their practice squad and roster in 2022. In Chicago, he averaged 4.6 yards per carry on 14 handoffs during six game appearances.

On the loss of Hines, Beane said the loss is disappointing but noted “2024” should be a good year for him. It’s possible his time in Buffalo is not over.

“(Hines) a dynamic, duel returner, and a legit threat. I thought he had a great spring,” Beane said. “We were really excited to use him in the offense.”

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4 Bills who could be first-time Pro Bowlers in 2023

4 #Bills who could be first-time Pro Bowlers in 2023 (

The Buffalo Bills are a Super Bowl caliber team and have plenty of Pro Bowlers on their roster to match the expectations. Last year, Josh Allen, Stefon Diggs, Dion Dawkins, Mitch Morse, and Dawson Knox on the offense as well as defenders Matt Milano and Jordan Poyer were elected to the Pro Bowl.

Defenders Tre’Davious White, and Micah Hyde are currently on the Bills roster and have been elected to the Pro Bowl at some point in their careers. However, there are still some Bills players who have been performing at an elite level but have not been elected.

Here are four Bills players who could be in-line for their first trip to the Pro Bowl in 2023:

1 thing we want to see from each of the Bills top skill position players

1 thing we want to see from each of the #Bills top skill position players (via @TejasVemparala):

On paper, the Buffalo Bills offense is one of the best in the league. But to win the Super Bowl, the Buffalo will need to be the best. If the Bills want to win the Super Bowl in 2023, here is one thing we want to see from each of their top skill-position players:

Bills place three players on PUP list at start of training camp

#Bills place three players on PUP list at start of training camp:

The Buffalo Bills added three players to the team’s active/PUP list at the start of 2023 training camp.

Pass rusher Von Miller, special teamer Tyler Matakevich and defensive lineman Jordan Phillips were all placed on the injury designation.

Miller and Phillips had injuries that were known. Miller is still recovering from his 2022 ACL injury while Phillips continues to battle a shoulder issue. Phillips had surgery on his shoulder following the end of the 2022 season.

Matakevich’s update is new and said to be a calf injury.

When a player is placed on the PUP list at the start of training camp, he counts against the team’s 90-man roster and can participate in meetings but is not allowed to practice. They can be removed at any time from the designation.

In addition to the PUP (physically unable to perform) updates, the Bills confirmed others transactions that were known or anticipated to happen.

The team placed running back Nyheim Hines on the Reserve/NFI (non-football injury) list after his season came to an end just prior to training camp due to a knee injury.

The Bills also confirmed the signings of running back Darrynton Evans and tight end Jace Sternberger. The pair both signed one-year deals.

Follow Bills Wire throughout training camp for the latest updates.

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