BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — The Buffalo Bills will have to shelve plans to incorporate Nyheim Hines’ versatility into their offense after the running back suffered a season-ending knee injury after being run over by a jet ski, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press on Monday.
News of Hines’ injury came as the Bills began reporting for training camp, which starts Wednesday outside of Rochester.
He was sitting on a stationary jet ski when he was hit by another water scooter, said a person familiar with the matter, who spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity because Bills had not announced his injuries. Hines said he needed surgery.
The NFL Network first reported Hines’ injury.
It was not immediately clear exactly when or where he had been injured.
With James Cook expected to take over the starting-back job this season, the Bills hoped to use the 26-year-old’s speed and pass-catching ability to play a multifaceted role on offense and special teams.
Buffalo is making headway after losing starter Devin Singletary to free agency this offseason, and is experiencing positional depth after signing free agents Damien Harris and Latavius Murray.
Hines, who has five seasons in the NFL under contract through 2024, was acquired by Buffalo in November in a trade for backup running back Zach Moss to Indianapolis.
Hines played a very limited role in Buffalo’s offense until the end of last season, but he returned two kickoffs from 96 and 101 yards to score a touchdown in the Bills’ 35-23 win over New England in the final regular season game to keep the Patriots out of playoff contention. He became the first Bills player to return kickoffs for two touchdowns in one game, and the first NFL player since Leon Washington returned two for touchdowns in 2010.
Overall, Hines rushed for 1,202 yards on 306 carries, had 10 touchdowns, received 1,778 yards on 240 catches, and had eight touchdowns.
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