Bills running back Nyhiem Hines will reportedly miss the entire 2023 season after he was struck while “sitting stationary” on a jet ski by another rider.
The Bills runner suffered a “significant injury” but not a life-threatening injury, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports.
While sitting stationary on a jet ski, Nyheim Hines was struck by another rider and sustained serious, but non-life threatening injuries. Hines will require surgery and will miss the 2023 season. https://t.co/hR1VVD7BmW
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) July 24, 2023
The Bills acquired Hines in a midseason trade with the Colts. He didn’t tote the rock a lot for Buffalo last year. In fact, he only had six carries from scrimmage.
Buffalo Bills running back Nyheim Hines (20) carries after a catch during a game between the New England Patriots and the Buffalo Bills on December 1, 2022, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
However, he did have two kick returns for touchdowns, including a return of the opening kickoff in the Bills’ first game after safety Damar Hamlin collapsed on the field in early January.
CHILLS.
📺: @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/9uXnx91reb
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) January 8, 2023
While Hines may not be missed on the starting offense, the starting offense will definitely miss the 29.2 yards he averaged on kick returns. Duke Johnson and Isaiah McKenzie were the only other Bills players to return multiple kicks in 2022, and neither is currently on the roster, according to Bleacher Report.
So, the Bills have some work to do.