The offensive skill player, who tore his ACL in a jet ski accident, will not be playing for the Buffalo Bills

The Buffalo Bills could be in the mix for a running back or a kick returner in the upcoming NFL draft. After all, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Bills plan to release one of their offensive skill players this week. Schefter took to his Twitter account on Sunday, reporting Buffalo will release running back/returner Nyheim Hines.

Hines suffered an unfortunate and gruesome leg injury last summer, resulting from a freak jet ski incident. The collision between Hines and another person on jet skis led to severe but not life-threatening injuries. However, the severity of the injury meant that he missed the entirety of the 2023 season.

Buffalo Bills RB Nyheim Hines: On the Out in Orchard Park

The Buffalo Bills will cut Nyheim Hines this offseason, ending his two-year run with the team. Buffalo acquired Hines from the Indianapolis Colts midway through the 2022 season for a 2023 5th-round draft pick (tight end Will Mallory). Hins rushed six times for -3 yards while catching five passes for 53 yards and a score. He finished the 2022 season with 274 scrimmage yards and two scores.

However, he shinned as a return man, mainly with Buffalo. He returned two kickoffs for touchdowns during his nine games with the AFC East club. He did not play last year due to a season-ending leg injury during the 2023 offseason. Schefter reports Hines will likely be available for this upcoming training camp.

Hines, a fourth-round pick in the 2018 NFL draft, played his first full four seasons with the Colts. He eclipsed at least 500 scrimmage yards each season, including a career-high 862 in 2020. 

Buffalo Bills: Running Back Depth Chart

The Bills will be without Nyheim Hines and Leonard Fournette next season, although the duo combined for just 12 carries last season. 2022 second-round pick James Cook will again operate as the team’s primary rusher. Cook made the Pro Bowl last season after accumulating 1,122 yards and two scores on 4.7 yards per carry. He also caught 44 passes for 445 yards and four scores. Meanwhile, Ty Johnson, Latavius Murray, and Damien Harris are unrestricted free agents. Murray finished second among running backs in rushing yards but struggled, averaging a lowly 3.8 yards per attempt. The only other running back inked to the active roster is journeyman Darrynton Evans. However, he did not receive a carry last season.