​Nyheim Hines: Buffalo Bills set to release running back in salary cap move

NEW DELHI: The Buffalo Bills are parting ways with running back Nyheim Hines in a strategic salary cap-cutting maneuver ahead of the NFL's free agency period, as confirmed by a person with direct knowledge of the situation on Tuesday. The decision was first reported by ESPN.com on Sunday, and the person spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity due to the private nature of the discussions.
While the Bills have expressed the possibility of re-signing Hines, there is no guarantee that the player will return once free agency officially commences on March 13.


Hines, who was entering the final year of his contract, missed the entire previous season due to a knee injury sustained in a jet ski accident just before the start of training camp last summer.
Despite resuming training, it remains uncertain when he will be cleared to practice. The 27-year-old running back's injury and his $5.1 million salary for the upcoming season contributed to the Bills' decision to release him. This move will free up approximately $4.6 million in cap space for the Bills, who entered the offseason projected to be at an NFL-high $44 million over the cap in 2024.

Buffalo acquired Hines in a midseason trade with the Indianapolis Colts in 2022, anticipating an increased role for him in the 2023 season. However, Hines had limited playing time in nine games, making his most significant impact in a special teams role by returning two kickoffs for touchdowns in a regular-season-ending victory over the New England Patriots.
Originally drafted by the Colts in the fourth round of the 2018 draft, Hines gained recognition for his ability as a pass-catching threat out of the backfield during his initial four-plus seasons in Indianapolis.
(Inputs from AP)