On Wednesday, the New Orleans Saints added to their battered crew of running backs by signing veteran Nyheim Hines to their practice squad, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Hines was with the Los Angeles Chargers for three games earlier this season before getting released, getting only two rushing attempts. He stands a good chance at getting an active roster spot when the Saints host the 3-11 New York Jets on Sunday because of injuries.
Rookie running back Devin Neal has already been ruled out with a hamstring injury suffered last week. Neal had started the last three games because a knee injury has kept starter Alvin Kamara sidelined. Kamara isn’t expected to practice at all this week and seems unlikely to go against the Jets. With Kendre Miller already out for the year, the only other backfield options for New Orleans are recent free-agent additions Audric Estime and Evan Hull.
Hines, 29, was a fourth round pick of the Indianapolis Colts in the 2018 NFL draft after playing collegiately at N.C. State. He had 1,112 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns for the Wolfpack in 2017. Hines was with the Colts for five years into the 2022 season and was a quality number two back. With Indianapolis, Hines had 1,205 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns while averaging four yards per carry. He was also a quality receiver out of the backfield, catching 235 passes for 1,725 yards and 7 scores. Hines had his best year in 2020, rushing for 380 yards and pulling in 63 receptions for 482 yards while scoring 7 total touchdowns.
During the 2022 season, the Colts traded Hines to the Buffalo Bills. After finishing that year with Buffalo, Hines was involved in a jet ski accident in the summer of 2023. He suffered ACL and MCL injuries in the accident, keeping him out of football for two years before being signed by the Chargers this offseason.