Nyheim Hines, who is eyeing a return to the NFL after missing two years with injury, on what advice he would give aspiring pro and college football players. By Mike Kaye
Nyheim Hines hasn’t touched NFL turf in more than 900 days.
But on a hot and humid Wednesday in Weddington, North Carolina, the former Indianapolis Colts and Buffalo Bills running back, who starred at Garner Magnet High and N.C. State, is grinding to get back into the league he believes he still belongs in.
He’s two years removed from the jet ski accident that derailed his promising position with the Bills in 2023. He’s also recovered from the ACL and LCL surgeries he was forced to undergo as the result of the incident, which admittedly took a bit longer than he expected.
And as he bobs and weaves through cones at Weddington Optimist Park in the Charlotte suburbs, Hines, 28, finally feels like the guy who returned two punts for touchdowns in a game against the Carolina Panthers in 2019.
“I’m far from done, and the story is in my hand,” Hines told The Charlotte Observer. “I put myself in this position, but as athletes, we’re in an unfortunate situation in a job ... that we can’t control everything, but the pen is always in our hand, based on our performance. So, I’m looking forward to the opportunity to grab that pen and write whatever story I want.”
N.C. State Nyheim Hines (7) outruns the North Carolina defense on his way to scoring on a 48-yard touchdown during the second half of N.C. State’s 33-21 victory over UNC at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, Nov. 25, 2017. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
The former All-ACC track star has always had elite speed (he ran a 4.38-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine in 2018). And he says he never lost his speed in his recovery from the knee surgery. But, according to Hines, his road to recovery was more about rediscovering the twitchy cutting ability that became his trademark in the NFL. He also needed to recover mentally from a very public lapse in judgment that he has taken accountability for on multiple occasions.
Hines’ last NFL regular-season appearance saw him return two kickoffs for touchdowns for the Bills against the New England Patriots. He’d play in two playoff games for Buffalo in January 2023 and that’s the last the NFL has really seen of him.
The jet ski accident, which took place a few weeks before Bills training camp in the summer 2023, is something he’s been working to overcome ever since. But after healing both his mind and his body over the past two years, he’s grateful for the opportunity to potentially recapture the magic that he made during the first five years of his NFL career.
“I could have died,” Hines said. “So many things could have been worse. So, I’m thankful that I’m here to tell this story and be an example of what you don’t need to do.”
A reason to return
As he worked his way back from a career-threatening knee injury, Hines couldn’t help but dwell in the negative.
He woke up in disbelief some mornings, questioning himself, his situation, and the NFL career he derailed. He also couldn’t ignore the countless social media posts that mocked the accident.
“You can say whatever, but those things hurt,” Hines said. “I’m human.”
Hines needed to make peace with himself and his situation — and he says he has done so. He knows he made a mistake and he holds himself accountable for it.
He credits his Indianapolis-based therapist, Dr. Tracy Warhop, and his agent, Ed Wasielewski, with helping him weather the storm of external criticism following his release from the Bills.
He credits his mom, Nannette Miller, who has battled muscular dystrophy throughout most of his NFL career, with giving him perspective and being a source of motivation.
Following his knee surgery, he got a heavily detailed tattoo on his left wrist that features references to self-reflective Bible verses and green ribbons — the symbol for muscular dystrophy awareness — to represent his mom, his uncle, A.J. Miller, and his grandmother, Clotiel Miller, who passed away in 2004 from the disease.
“Those have been things that have just motivated me,” Hines said. “And even when I have doubts, and even through the first year and a half (after surgery) it didn’t look good — I would just look down at my wrist and it gave me a lot of motivation.”
Indianapolis Colts running back Nyheim Hines, right, runs past Carolina Panthers punter Michael Palardy, center, for a touchdown following a punt at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana on Sunday, December 22, 2019. Jeff Siner jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
Hines was able to land a one-year deal with the Cleveland Browns last year, despite missing the entire 2023 season. But he was placed on the non-football injury (NFI) list — ending his season before it even started — following a preseason in which he never appeared in uniform.
Hines’ placement on the NFI list coincided with a decline in his mother’s health. She was placed on life support around the start of Cleveland’s regular season.
“So, throughout last season, my mom was on a ventilator for three or four weeks, got off of it, went up and down, and finally went home in December,” Hines said. “So, even through just all of that, like there were so many things off the field that I dealt with — it’s not an excuse — but it’s more of the reason of why I’ve been so hungry, so motivated.
“Even throughout all of this time last year, truthfully and honestly speaking, I didn’t think my mom would ever see me play again.”
With his mom still battling her disease, Hines has continued to work to make sure her son plays again, not only for himself, but for her and their family, too.
“Knowing my mom has fought for this extra time to watch me play this year has been the most humbling and best feeling of why I would do it,” Hines said.
The routes to recovery
Hines, who lives in Charlotte, has been diligently working with his longtime trainer, Stafford Gatling of Waxhaw-based Stay Ready Performance, to get back to full strength on the field.
Gatling, a former Ohio University linebacker, has been training Hines since 2021, so he’s seen the peaks and valleys of Hines’ NFL career.
“I saw the before and the after,” Gatling said. “It was hard for me to even adjust to it. Like, ‘I’m so used to seeing him to do this or that,’ but I can’t say that type of stuff, because that type of stuff is going to effect him mentally. So, I built it up. He was torn down, so you’ve got to build it back up.”
Former Indianapolis Colts and Buffalo Bills running back Nyheim Hines, a Garner, North Carolina, native, runs a cone drill at Weddington Optmist Park in Weddington, North Carolina on Wednesday, July 9, 2025. Hines, who started as an offensive playmaker at NC State, is working toward an NFL comeback. Mike Kaye, The Charlotte Observer Mike Kaye, The Charlotte Observer
During Hines’ recovery with the Browns, he found a rehabilitation partner in four-time Pro Bowl running back Nick Chubb, who was recovering from MCL and ACL injuries. The pair synced their workout routines, and Hines was able to find additional motivation from Chubb’s work ethic and determination.
“I would say my biggest inspiration is Nick Chubb,” Hines said. “I met him month eight of my surgery (recovery) when I signed in April (2024). We did everything together. And he came off a catastrophic injury before this, so I leaned on him a lot.”
The Bills’ Nyheim Hines returns this kickoff 101 yards for a touchdown against the Patriots. This was his second kickoff return for a touchdown in a 35-23 Buffalo win. Ag3i6708 JAMIE GERMANO/ROCHESTER DEMOCRAT JAMIE GERMANO/ROCHESTER DEMOCRAT
On Wednesday, Hines caught a quick pass around some cones and darted off down the field for a second catch on the same rep. Gatling then lofted the ball a bit in front of Hines, who made a finger-tip snag as his momentum carried him out of the field of play.
Hines, fearless even after the knee surgeries, jumped over a small wooden fence onto a small dirt hill to stop his route as he held onto the ball.
Gatling and his two other clients let out an audible cheer for the playmaker.
“He’s been working for two years now, building his confidence and letting his body recover at the same time,” Gatling said. “So now, with him coming out here with that mindset, believing in himself, and also having that full recovery of his body — it’s like him being three years younger. It’s just great to see.”
Hines feels rejuvenated. He’s also not afraid to flaunt his restored confidence, either.
“My confidence is ‘I’m back,’” Hines said. “I feel like I’ve had a great resume — I want to be humble when I say that — and I’ve built a great resume and had great film. And each team I’ve played for, the Colts — not the Browns, unfortunately — the Bills, N.C. State, I feel like I went out there each year and put it on the line for all the fans.
“Each team I’ve played for, I feel like I left fans with a special memory to see how hard I go out here and grind.”
Right time for a revival
Before Hines suffered his off-the-field nightmare that summer of 2023, he was considered to be among the most dynamic returners in football.
He returned two kickoffs for touchdowns in his first two seasons at N.C. State and then returned a punt for a score during his junior campaign. He had the two punt return touchdowns against the Panthers in his second NFL season and the two kickoff return scores in 2023 for the Bills as well.
He also produced 1,202 rushing yards, 1,778 receiving yards and 18 total offensive touchdowns in his first five NFL seasons with Buffalo and Indianapolis.
The 5-foot-8, 198-pound running back has the resume of a shifty weapon on both offense and special teams. And if he’s kept his game-changing speed — which he claims he has — he offers a dynamic skill set for a team looking to stretch the value of a depth player on a “prove it” deal.
“I think I can go out there today and help a team win,” Hines said. “It doesn’t take much of a playbook to catch a punt or catch a kickoff, and trust your blocks, and have great vision to do what you have to do. But like I’ve always said, I’ve always been an elite returner, but I feel like I’m an offensive player with elite return abilities.
“When I’ve had opportunities (on offense), I’ve had great success. ... Obviously, I want to go on Day 1 and be a return guy — if it’s kick or punt return. If you ask me to be a gunner or ask me to be a personal protector on special teams, then I’m going to do whatever I’ve got to do. And then, hopefully, I learn the playbook and help a team out there (on offense), because I know I’m still a mismatch out there. I’m still fast, I’m still quick, and I’m ready to go.”
Indianapolis Colts running back Nyheim Hines, right, pushes Carolina Panthers linebacker/defensive end Brian Burns, center, aside on a run during first quarter action at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana on Sunday, December 22, 2019. Jeff Siner jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
Hines has also taken note of the some of other comeback stories in the NFL this summer.
Veteran wideout Hunter Renfrow signed a one-year deal with the Panthers in April after missing the 2024 season due to a bout with ulcerative colitis. Renfrow’s story is proof that some teams are still willing to invest in talent, even if the player has been off the field for a notable stretch.
“It’s given me all the optimism in the world,” Hines said, referring to Renfrow’s comeback.
Indianapolis Colts running back Nyheim Hines high steps it into the end zone for his second touchdown of the day against the Carolina Panthers during fourth quarter action at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana on Sunday, December 22, 2019. The Colts defeated the Panthers 38-6. Jeff Siner jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
Hines feels great mentally and physically, and the obstacles thrown in his way over the past two years have only made him hungrier to return to the field, for his family, for his mom and for himself.
While he knows that the internet has mocked him for his very public pitfall moment, he also has seen the love and support from fans in Garner and Raleigh. He knows what he’s accomplished in the NFL, and he believes he’s capable of creating more big moments as a returner, receiver and running back.
Hines just needs a team to take a chance on him. And that’s probably not too much to ask for, considering Hines has proven that he can score from pretty much anywhere on the field when healthy.
“I’m a special player,” Hines said, “and I’m getting back to the athletic form that once made me a top player in this league.”