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Nyheim Miller-Hines

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/9/25

September 9th, 2025 at 6:44pm CST by Ben Levine

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

August 27th, 2025 at 4:51pm CST by Sam Robinson

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 Broncos, Chargers, Chiefs 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

August 26th, 2025 at 9:12pm CST by Sam Robinson

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

July 21st, 2025 at 10:06pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

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 11th, 2025 at 1:15pm CST by Adam La Rose

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 Hines‘ career. 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

May 2nd, 2025 at 8:19pm CST by Ely Allen

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

February 18th, 2025 at 7:37pm CST by Ely Allen

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

Cleveland Browns

Las Vegas Raiders

Philadelphia Eagles

San Francisco 49ers

Browns Designate Wyatt Teller For Return; Nyheim Hines Out For Season

October 23rd, 2024 at 1:01pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

The Browns have designated right guard Wyatt Teller for return from injured reserve with the expectation that he will play in Week 8 against the Ravens, per Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal.

Teller suffered a sprained MCL in Week 3, sidelining him for Cleveland’s last four games with rookie Zak Zinter and veteran Michael Dunn starting in his absence.

Teller would have to be activated to the 53-man roster to suit up on Sunday, but he can practice for up to three weeks without being activated before he reverts to season-ending IR. Head coach Kevin Stefanski indicated that the veteran lineman — a six-year Browns starter — will not require an extended ramp-up period before retaking the field.

Stefanski also said that running back Nyheim Hines would not be activated from the non-football injury list this week, delaying his comeback from a freak ACL tear in a jet ski accident in the summer of 2023. Hines spent all of last season on the NFI list in Buffalo before making his way to Cleveland, where the Browns hoped he could complete his rehab and contribute to their backfield this season.

Hines began practicing on October 2, opening a 21-day window before he had to be added to the 53-man roster or revert to season-ending injured reserve. It will be the latter for Hines, who will miss his second season in a row, potentially putting his long-term career in jeopardy at the age of 27 in an era of devalued running backs.

The Browns will stick with Nick Chubb and Jerome Ford to lead the backfield for the rest of the year, with D’Onta Foreman and Pierre Strong providing rotational depth and special teams snaps. Chubb came off the PUP list last week, providing a positive development during what has otherwise been a miserable Browns season. While the player the Browns hoped could be his pass-down complement is out of the picture, Teller’s return will put the Browns in position to have their full O-line available for the first time since the 2023 opener.

Browns Designate Nick Chubb For Return; Nyheim Hines Back At Practice

October 2nd, 2024 at 10:57am CST by Sam Robinson

The rumored Nick Chubb return to practice is a go. The perennial Pro Bowler will work out with his Browns teammates starting today, with the club making it official.

This is a long time coming for Chubb, who underwent two knee surgeries following a severe injury sustained in Week 2 of last season. Additionally, the Browns will have Nyheim Hines and offensive lineman Michael Dunn back at practice. All three players, although they were on three different lists, each have 21-day return windows. Not being activated in that span would cause them to miss the rest of the season.

Chubb resided on Cleveland’s reserve/PUP list; he does not count against the team’s in-season activation total. By virtue of being designated for return (from the reserve/non-football injury list and reserve/non-football illness list, respectively), Hines and Dunn already count toward the Browns’ eight-activation number. Cleveland has six injury activations remaining as we hit IR- and NFI-activation season.

Although Chubb did not fully tear his ACL, he suffered other damage from the sequence in Pittsburgh. Chubb, 28, tore an MCL and sustained medial capsule and meniscus damage, leading to this year-plus return timeline. The seventh-year veteran is not expected to debut immediately, as could be expected, but the Browns having him back at practice is a good sign for his availability this season. It makes sense the Browns will want to see him ramp up once cleared to practice; the PUP-return window allows for that.

This is also a long time coming for Hines, who has been on the shelf since suffering a torn ACL from a freak jet ski accident in summer 2023. Hines was not moving during the July 2023 accident, as another jet ski crashed into him. He spent last season on the Bills’ reserve/NFI list, and Buffalo cut him with a non-football injury designation this offseason. The Browns then picked up the ex-Colts passing-down back/return man but delayed his return via the NFI stash.

For the time being, Cleveland will continue to rely on Jerome Ford as its starting RB. The Browns’ primary Chubb fill-in last year, Ford is averaging 5.2 yards per carry. As a team, however, the Browns rank 26th on the ground. They have D’Onta Foreman, Pierre Strong and Gary Brightwell on its 53-man roster, but reinforcements — which should change Cleveland’s backfield hierarchy — are coming.

The Browns and Chubb agreed on a reworked contract that doubled as a pay cut this offseason, and the four-time 1,000-yard rusher is due for free agency in 2025. The RB market showed signs of reawakening this offseason, giving Chubb motivation. To fetch a notable third contract, however, Chubb will need to show signs of his pre-injury form. The Browns will hope Chubb can help a struggling Deshaun Watson, who has spent most of his time as Cleveland’s QB1 without the consistent ball-carrier.

Formerly a Colts extension recipient, Hines was dealt to the Bills before the 2022 deadline. He returned two kickoffs for touchdowns in Buffalo’s regular-season finale that year and, in addition to two punt-return TDs, has two 400-yard receiving seasons on his resume.

Browns Release RB D’Onta Foreman, Trim Roster To 53

August 27th, 2024 at 7:21pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Browns kept four quarterbacks on their active roster, using other position groups to make their way down to 53. Here is how Cleveland maneuvered there:

Released:

Waived:

Placed on reserve/non-football illness list:

Placed on reserve/non-football injury list:

Placed on reserve/PUP:

Placed on IR:

Placed on commissioner exempt list:

Kevin Stefanski pointed to Foreman not being out of the picture, alluding this only being the team’s initial 53-man roster. The veteran back, who signed as a depth/rotational option this offseason, should be expected back, cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot tweets. Teams can use up to six practice squad slots on vested veterans. This is Foreman’s fourth team in four years, but he has managed to play regular roles for each. The Browns also have their two other high-profile options — Chubb and Hines — out for at least four games, as they recover from 2023 injuries.

Cleveland considered trading Jameis Winston or Tyler Huntley, with second-year QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson showing enough improvement to have made the 53-man roster. But the team stopped short and made the rare move to carry four active-roster arms. One of the non-Deshaun Watson passers could be vulnerable, however, as the waiver wire will come into play soon. Winston and Huntley are vested vets and would head straight to free agency if released; Thompson-Robinson would need to pass through waivers. Teams often prioritize those players on cutdown day.

Hall is out of the picture for the foreseeable future, as his legal issue runs its course, and Wypler is out for the year with a broken ankle. The Browns designated Dunn for return. This will cut into Cleveland’s eight injury activations, and while the veteran blocker will miss at least four games, the team prioritized his comeback enough to use this early designation. Dunn has been with the team since 2020.

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