Nyheim Miller-Hines

Chargers Place DT Da’Shawn Hand On IR

Chargers defensive tackle Da’Shawn Hand left last week’s loss to the Commanders after only appearing for four defensive snaps. The groin injury that forced Hand out of the game kept him from practicing all week, but instead of just an “out” injury designation for the weekend, the Chargers have ensured he’ll be out for the next four games after placing him on injured reserve today.

Hand looked to be having a career year in his eighth year of NFL play, but his production will certainly be hindered by this elongated absence. The 30-year-old had been working as a full-time starter for the first time in his career. Hand started eight games in his rookie campaign with the Lions but only logged five starts in the six seasons between then and now. He had already matched those five starts in his time with the Chargers this year.

Hand’s eight rookie starts were well-earned for the fourth-round pick out of Alabama, but the promising start was marred by ending the season on IR. From there, injuries continued to dictate the course of his career. He started two of the three games he was able to appear in for his sophomore campaign and was relegated to a rotational role in Year 3.

In 2021, the final year of his rookie contract, after missing the first seven weeks of the season, the Lions saw him active for three games before sending him to IR once again. Ultimately, they released him, and he spent the remainder of the year in short stints with the Colts and Titans. He played two snaps for the Titans in 2022 before being placed on IR for the remainder of that season.

After only appearing in five games over two full seasons, Hand signed with the Dolphins and had his first mostly healthy season, appearing in a career-high 16 games. Miami held onto him for 2024, and he had, perhaps, the strongest year of his career. Appearing in every game of the season for the first time in his career and making his first two starts since 2020, Hand delivered career highs in total tackles (31), tackles for loss (5), and quarterback hits (4) that season.

The strong two seasons in Miami led to a decent contract in Los Angeles, where he would finally get his chance to start full time. With 10 total tackles, three tackles for loss, three quarterback hits, and a sack through only five games, Hand was on track to set multiple new career highs. Considering he wasn’t placed on IR immediately following his injury diagnosis, it seems likely that he’ll be a strong candidate to return to the active roster once his practice window has been opened after four games have passed.

Taking Hand’s slot on the 53-man roster will be practice squad offensive tackle Bobby Hart. A former starter for the Giants and Bengals, Hart hasn’t appeared in an NFL game since 2022. Hart was added to the practice squad recently as Los Angeles deals with injuries to starting tackles Rashawn Slater (season-ending) and Joe Alt and backup tackles Trey Pipkins and Savion Washington.

Joining Hart to reinforce the offensive line off the practice squad this weekend will be David Sharpe. Unlike Hart, as a standard gameday practice squad elevation, Sharpe will revert back to the practice squad following Sunday’s game. The team’s other elevation will be used on recent practice squad addition Nyheim Hines, who will back up Hassan Haskins and Kimani Vidal as they fill in for Omarion Hampton and Najee Harris, who both currently reside on IR.

Chargers Add Nyheim Miller-Hines To Practice Squad

With the Chargers suddenly thin at running back, they’re bringing back a familiar face. The team signed Nyheim Miller-Hines to its practice squad on Tuesday, Kris Rhim of ESPN reports.

Thanks largely to a jet ski accident that left him with a torn ACL and threw his career off course, Miller-Hines hasn’t appeared in a regular-season game since 2022. The former Colt, Bill, and Brown signed with the Chargers in July, but he was unable to crack their season-opening roster.

After the Chargers released him from their practice squad in early September, Miller-Hines is returning to a team that’s in dire need of help in the backfield. He could play this week against the Dolphins, according to Rhim.

The Chargers, losers of two in a row after a 3-0 start, placed starting RB Omarion Hampton on IR with an ankle injury on Monday. That came two weeks after veteran Najee Harris suffered a season-ending torn Achilles.

With Hampton set to miss at least four games and Harris done for 2025, the Chargers are left with the unproven duo of Hassan Haskins and Kimani Vidal as their top options at the position. With that in mind, they worked out Miller-Hines and fellow veteran RBs D’Onta Foreman, Royce Freeman, and Trayveon Williams on Tuesday, per Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2.

Miller-Hines is one of a few new additions to the Chargers’ practice squad. They also signed wide receiver Jalen Reagor and center Josh Kaltenberger, Wilson relays. The team released guard Michael Dunn and linebacker Kana’i Mauga from its practice squad in corresponding moves. The Bolts recently released Reagor, a first-round pick of the Eagles in 2020 and a Charger last year, and Kaltenberger. Like Miller-Hines, they’re now back in the organization. 

Commanders To Sign RB Chase Edmonds

In the wake of losing Austin Ekeler for the season, the Commanders have added backfield depth. Veteran Chase Edmonds has a deal in place with Washington, as first reported by Fox Sports’ Greg Auman.

Prior to reaching this agreement, the Commanders looked into other free agent options. As Tom Pelissero of NFL Network notesDemetric Felton, Khalil Herbert and Nyheim Miller-Hines also visited Washington. Each member of that trio remains unsigned, however.

To no surprise, this will be a practice squad arrangement. The Commanders still have Jacory Croskey-Merritt and Chris Rodriguez Jrin the mix as healthy backfield options. Edmonds will offer the team with a veteran presence if he receives a gameday elevation, though.

The 29-year-old last played in 2023 with the Buccaneers. Edmonds split his time the previous season with the Dolphins and Broncos. Prior to that, he played out his rookie contract as a member of the Cardinals. That span overlapped with then-head coach Kliff Kingsburywho is now the Commanders’ offensive coordinator. Edmonds thus represents a familiar face for his new team.

Over his six NFL seasons, the former fourth-rounder primarily worked as a rotational option in the backfield. In 2021, Edmonds started 11 of 12 games and handled a career-high 116 carries; that resulted in a personal best in terms of rushing yards (592). Similar numbers should not be expected after an absence this long and with a third-string role (at the most) in place, of course.

Still, Edmonds could handle part-time duties upon returning to NFL action. The Fordham product has racked up 158 receptions during his career, so he could look to compensate for Ekeler’s loss in the pass-catching department. Finding success in that capacity could help his value next offseason and lead to a market strong enough to avoid remaining unsigned into the 2026 regular season.

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/9/25

Today’s practice squad moves:

Atlanta Falcons

Baltimore Ravens

Chicago Bears

Cleveland Browns

Denver Broncos

Detroit Lions

Indianapolis Colts

Kansas City Chiefs

Los Angeles Chargers

New Orleans Saints

New York Jets

Philadelphia Eagles

San Francisco 49ers

Today’s practice squad transactions are highlighted by the release of a veteran running back. Nyheim Hines has been looking to revive his career since he missed the 2023 season thanks to a leg injury sustained in a jet ski collision. Since he was released by the Bills after that campaign, he’s spent time with the Browns and Chargers without getting into a game. A former fourth-round pick, Hines had four productive seasons with the Colts to begin his career, including a 2020 campaign where he compiled 862 yards from scrimmage and seven touchdowns.

Wednesday NFL Transactions: AFC West

Following the 53-man roster cutdown deadline Tuesday, many teams will make slight tweaks to their rosters. In addition to waiver claims, teams can begin constructing their 16-man practice squads today. These BroncosChargersChiefs and Raiders moves are noted below.

Denver Broncos

Signed to practice squad:

Kansas City Chiefs

Signed to practice squad:

Las Vegas Raiders

Signed:

Claimed:

Waived:

Signed to practice squad:

Los Angeles Chargers

Signed:

Placed on IR:

Signed to practice squad:

Chargers Place LB Junior Colson On IR; Taylor Heinicke Among Team’s Cuts

The Chargers placed a key defender on season-ending IR and made a quarterback decision. Here are the Bolts’ moves to reach the 53-man roster limit:

Released:

Waived:

Waived/injured:

Placed on IR:

Placed on IR (return designation):

It is not known what injury Colson suffered — teams do not have to disclose injuries until Week 1 — but this is a significant setback for the former Jim Harbaugh Michigan pupil. Colson entered training camp with a chance to earn the starting linebacker job alongside Daiyan Henley; instead, he will miss the season. Harris and Leonard will be eligible to return from IR after four games; their IR-return placements drop the Bolts’ injury activation count from eight to six.

It is possible the Chargers circle back to Heinicke, who is a vested veteran. A practice squad stashing could make sense, but Trey Lance is also a vested veteran now. The Bolts are keeping the former No. 3 overall pick on their 53-man roster, while Heinicke’s status is uncertain. The Chargers re-signed Heinicke to a one-year, $2.5MM deal. They are positioned to eat $2MM in dead money due to the guarantees given to their 2024 backup.

RB Nyheim Hines To Make NFL Return With Chargers

Veteran running back Nyheim Hines is returning to the NFL with the Chargers, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Hines has not played since the 2022 season after tearing his ACL in a freak jet skiing accident in July 2023. He signed with the Browns last offseason and practiced for three weeks in October before being shut down for the year. Now, he will finally get back on the field in Los Angeles.

“It’s been a long road back,” said Hines (via The Exhibit’s Josina Anderson). “I’ve watched [the Chargers] my whole life because of Philip Rivers, and always have liked the team. I also think I’ve fit their system for years, so I’m excited for this opportunity.”

Originally a 2018 fourth-round pick by the Colts, Hines immediately carved out a third-down role as a rookie and became one of the most consistent receiving backs in the league, logging at least 40 receptions and 300 receiving yards in each of his first four season. He signed a three-year, $18.6MM extension with the Colts in 2021 before being dealt to the Bills at the 2022 trade deadline. Hines did not have much of an impact in Buffalo, and his offseason injury has kept him on the sidelines since.

Now, Hines will join a young Chargers running back room as its oldest player. Veteran free agent signing Najee Harris is set to lead the group – once he recovers from a freak injury of his own – and the team hopes first-round pick Omarion Hampton can be an effective change-of-pace back and build on his impressive 2024 season as a ballcarrier and pass-catcher.

However, Harris’ receiving numbers in Pittsburgh were inflated by constant checkdowns by a rotating cadre of Steelers’ quarterbacks, and Jim Harbaugh may not trust a rookie to protect Justin Herbert on third downs. In addition to his desire to contribute as a returner, Hines could have a path to a role in Los Angeles as a pass-catching back who, in his career, has more targets (309) than carries (306) and more yards through the air (1,778) than on the ground (1,202).

First, he will have to prove that he is all the way back from his knee injury. Hines was healthy enough in May to work out for the Texans, and his signing in Los Angeles indicates that his medical passed muster.

RB Nyheim Hines Eyeing 2025 Deal

JULY 11: In an interview with Mike Kaye of the Charlotte Observer, Hines confirmed he is feeling healthy ahead of the 2025 campaign. He is eyeing a return to the NFL primarily as a returner, and it will be interesting to see if teams show a willingness to add him ahead of training camp.

JULY 7: A jet ski accident suffered in the summer of 2023 has proven highly detrimental to Nyheim Hinescareer. The veteran running back/returner is now seeking a return to the NFL, however.

Hines suffered a major knee injury as a result of the accident, and it cost him the entire 2023 campaign. Efforts were made to rehab in time for last season, but by October the Browns made it clear he would not be activated from the non-football injury list. The 28-year-old was released by the Browns in February, leaving him free to sign with an interested suitor at any time this offseason.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter notes Hines now feels his knee has fully recovered. As a result, he is looking to land a deal in time for training camp. The NC State product already took a visit with the Texans this spring, but this latest health update could point to a small market being generated over the coming weeks.

Hines spent four-plus seasons with the Colts to begin his career. He never surpassed 380 rushing yards along the way, but the former fourth-rounder was a consistent producer in the passing game (notching 40 or more receptions in a season four times). Hines also offers value as a kick and punt returner; he has surpassed 1,100 All-Purpose yards twice to date.

Of course, suitors will be hesitant to sign Hines given his missed time and concerns over his knee. Future visits will no doubt include detailed medical tests in this case as teams consider a short-term, low-cost investment. A veteran of 81 games, Hines will provide experience in a backfield along with special teams potential in the event he does manage to land a contract ahead of the 2025 campaign.

Texans Host Trio Of Veteran RBs

After finishing 23rd in rushing in 2023 without a 1,000-yard for the fourth season in a row, the Texans invested some draft capital to acquire former Bengals rusher Joe Mixon. With diminishing returns from Dameon Pierce, who is headed into a contract year, and the lack of a true receiving back, Houston has been making attempts throughout the offseason to bring competition to the room.

The Texans carried five running backs (Mixon, Pierce, Dare Ogunbowale, J.J. Taylor, and British Brooks) on their 53-man roster last year. All five return to the roster in 2025, as does practice squad rusher from last year Jawhar Jordan, but that hasn’t stopped Houston from exploring plenty of other options. To start, the team drafted USC back Woody Marks in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Additionally, the team hosted veterans Nyheim Hines, Chris Evans, and Trayveon Williams for workouts yesterday, per Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2.

Hines is certainly an interesting option who is extremely familiar with the AFC South after spending parts of six seasons with the Colts. He split the 2022 season between Indianapolis and Buffalo and hasn’t appeared in a game since. He missed the entire 2023 season after tearing his ACL in a jet ski incident in the offseason, and after getting released and signing with the Browns, Hines was unable to make a return in 2024. Although Hines hasn’t appeared in a game in over two years, he’s an intriguing option based on the receiving abilities he displayed over his time with the Colts; he actually has more career receiving yards (1,778) than rushing yards (1,202). He’s also been a prolific return man in his career.

Williams and Evans signing with Houston would be an interesting development in that it would reunite them with Mixon and put three former Bengals in the Texans’ running backs room. Williams, a sixth-round pick in 2019, is a Texas-native who went to college at Texas A&M. Over six seasons with Cincinnati, he only accumulated 307 rushing yards and 74 receiving yards with no scores. He does add some special teams value as a kickoff return man.

Evans, a sixth-round pick in 2021, only has 89 rushing yards (no touchdowns rushing) in his four years with the team, but he showed more as a receiving back with 188 yards and three scores over that time. Like Hines, though, he has a recent injury history after a ruptured patellar tendon kept him out of the Bengals’ 2024 campaign. He, too, has return experience on kickoff returns.

No signings resulted immediately from the workouts, but all three veteran options seem to be likely candidates to add some competition to the room. If not, Marks may be the easiest answer. The rookie showed significant receiving potential at Mississippi State with a 502-yard, three-touchdown season in 2021, but his fifth-year senior season with the Trojans saw him contribute much more as a rusher than a receiver.

Minor NFL Transactions: 2/18/25

We had a number of minor moves today in the NFL:

Cleveland Browns

Las Vegas Raiders

Philadelphia Eagles

San Francisco 49ers