Bills Coach Teasing Bigger Role for Nyheim Hines: 'Explosive!'

Special teams specialist Nyheim Hines played in nine games for the Buffalo Bills in 2022 after being acquired via trade at the in-season deadline.

For as notable of an impact as Buffalo Bills running back Nyheim Hines has had on special teams, he could have an even bigger role next season. 

The Bills acquired the special teams ace from the Indianapolis Colts on Nov. 1 for a conditional sixth-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Being a mid-season acquisition relegated Hines primarily to special teams in his nine games with Buffalo. 

But Hines made his impact felt in special teams with two storybook-like kickoff returns for touchdowns against the New England Patriots in Week 18, which was Buffalo's first game after Damar Hamlin had suffered cardiac arrest against the Cincinnati Bengals.  

Now, with a full offseason to learn the playbook, Bills running backs coach Kelly Skipper sees a bigger role for Hines next season on offense, especially in the running game. 

“He’s definitely explosive, but you’ll see him a little more experienced in the run game,” Skipper told Buffalo News. “We showed him off in the pass game mostly. Now, he can function in anything we do.”

For his career, Hines has rushed for 1,202 yards and 10 touchdowns in five seasons. Through the air, he has 1,778 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. 

Those numbers didn't translate immediately in Buffalo last season. In nine games, Hines only had six carries, for negative three yards. He also had five receptions for 53 yards.

His inability to find consistency in the Bills offense was due in large part to the scheme and learning an entirely new playbook in the middle of the season.  

"We have so much in our playbook – the terms were different for him," Skipper said. "When he came in right away, he was learning game by game.”

With an entire offseason to acclimate to Buffalo's offense, Hines could become a much-needed weapon to help take some of the burden off of quarterback Josh Allen's shoulders, as he'll be joined by the new arrivals of Damien Harris and Latavius Murray.

If Hines can become a threat in Buffalo's rushing and passing attack, it can make its offense even more well-rounded and explosive.


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