It was reported on Monday morning that Bills running back Nyheim Hines suffered a significant knee injury away from the team facility ahead of training camp. The injury is expected to be season-ending, per reports.
Hines, acquired at the trade deadline last season, was expected to have a bigger role in the offense this season while also handling the team’s return responsibilities. With Hines now reportedly out for the year, here is what his injury means for the Bills.
Top three now set in Sharpie at RBThe Bills had a crowded running back room with James Cook, Damien Harris, Latavius Murray and Hines. It was possible that all four made the final 53-man roster, but moving Hines or releasing Murray at final cuts and possibly signing him to the practice squad much like Duke Johnson was one season ago were scenarios in play.
That’s out the window now.
With Hines out for the season, Murray should be considered a roster lock behind Cook and Harris. Hines would have potentially been an asset as a receiving back this season, but from a rushing perspective the loss of Hines will not change much from a workload perspective.
Return job up for grabsNyheim Hines’ two kick returns for touchdowns against the Patriots in the regular season finale of 2022 made all the difference in the final score.
Hines was expected to be the return man again in 2023, but the team has another option currently on their roster in Deonte Harty.
Harty, 25, signed a two-year, $9.5 million contract in free agency to give the Bills offense a big play threat on offense. The receiver can also help in the return game based on past success.
After entering the league as an UDFA, Harty landed with the Saints and made the team’s 53-man roster as their primary returner. As a rookie, Harty finished the year as the NFL’s leader in punt returns, combined returns and punt return yards. He also found the end zone once that season and was named a first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowler.
Harty is in the top-seven in kickoff and punt return yardage since 2019, his first season in the league. Having Harty on the roster gives the team at least one internal option in the return game. Another option currently on the roster is second year receiver Khalil Shakir. Buffalo does not have to look outside of their roster for Hines’ replacement, but there are options.
An opportunity for Darrynton Evans, othersIf the Bills want to explore options on the outside to replace Hines there are options. Darrynton Evans is one option for Buffalo in the return game. It was reported on Sunday night that Evans would be working out for the Bills.
Evans, the Titans’ third-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft (No. 93 overall), is an explosive runner who runs a 4.41 40-yard dash. In addition to having blazing speed, Evans has shown to be a solid return man.
In 2020, Evans had nine kick returns with the Titans for 206 yards (22.9 YPR). In college, however, Evans really made a name for himself as a returner with 56 kick returns for 1,439 yards (25.7 YPR) and three touchdowns.
In addition to Evans, Buffalo also worked out running backs Kylin Hill and Abram Smith on Monday.
