Two years after tearing his ACL in a gruesome jetski accident, running back Nyheim Hines is finally healthy and plans to return to the NFL. A fourth-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, the North Carolina State product last appeared in a game back in 2022 with the Buffalo Bills. In their first game since Damar Hamlin’s near-fatal on-field injury, the running back returned two kicks for touchdowns while improving the team’s playoff seeding.
Nyheim Hines is no superstar, but he can make plays as a receiver, a runner, and on special teams. While he’s no guarantee to return to his previous form, he shouldn’t cost anything more than the veteran minimum, and the following five teams could sign him to see if he can win a spot on the bottom of a depth chart.
Nearly two years to the date that he tore his ACL in a jet-ski accident, Nyheim Hines is looking for a chance to play in his first NFL game since 2022, when he returned two kicks for touchdowns in the same game for the Bills. Hines believes his knee finally is ready for a return… pic.twitter.com/kLKZ54t3AA
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 7, 2025
4 Teams That Could Sign Nyheim Hines Following Jetski Injury
Possible Fits
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs spent the offseason bolstering their offensive line but didn’t do much to address the running back position. Veteran Isiah Pacheco is a servicable starter, but he doesn’t bring much to the passing game and lacks the acceleration to rip off big plays in the open field. Prior to his injury, Nyheim Hines had a good set of hands and had the speed to make big plays in space. Perhaps age and the jetski injury took that away from him, but if he can recapture his previous form, he could be a great fit on a weak depth chart.
Arizona Cardinals
James Conner refuses to give into age, as the former Steeler is once again in line to handle a massive workload. While that makes him a value in fantasy football, it also means the Cardinals need a better backup to ease his burden. Third-round pick Trey Benson did nothing to suggest he’s capable of a larger role in 2025, so perhaps Nyheim Hines can step in and earn a spot and Conner’s primary backup.
Houston Texans
The Houston Texans have one of the oldest backfields in the league with starter Joe Mixon and former Cleveland Brown Nick Chubb. While the younger Dameon Pierce also factors into the equation, he hasn’t done much of note since his impressive rookie season. Houston has legitimate playoff aspirations, but they shouldn’t put so much trust in older veterans at such an injury-prone position. Nyheim Hines is no spring chicken himself, but the former fourth-round pick could be a part of this committee.
New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints must find someone to complement Alvin Kamara in this backfield. While Kamara remains one of the league’s better backs, the five-time Pro Bowler will be 30 by Week 1 and might not have another 290-touch season in his tank. Kendre Miller hasn’t done much of anything through his first two seasons, Devin Neal is a rookie sixth-round pick, and Cam Akers is nothing more than a veteran journeyman. Nyheim Hines could easily carve a role out for himself in this backfield and serve as a checkdown option for second-round pick Tyler Shough.
Main Photo: Jamie Germano – Imagn Images
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