Bills lose versatile RB to season-ending knee injury

Though Hines was the projected fourth running back on the depth chart, his receiving ability and experience as a kick and punt returner would've likely had him on the field as much as some of the backs ahead of him.

The 26-year-old was acquired by Buffalo hours before the 2022 trade deadline in a deal with the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for fellow running back Zack Moss and a 2023 conditional fifth-round draft pick. 

Selected in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL Draft, Hines had spent his career with the Colts, primarily as a pass-catching back.

His best season came in 2020, when he finished with career highs in rushing attempts (89), rushing yards (380), rushing touchdowns (three), receiving yards (482), receiving touchdowns (four), catch percentage (82.9%), touches (152) and yards from scrimmage (862), while tying his career high for receptions (63). Hines also led the NFL with 30 punt returns that year.

The North Carolina St. product was the only player in the league with two kick returns for a touchdown last season and one of them provided arguably the most magical moment of Buffalo's entire season.

Playing in their first game since Damar Hamlin's cardiac arrest, the Bills jumped out to an immediate 6-0 lead on the rival New England Patriots in Week 18 as Hines brought the game's opening kickoff back for a touchdown. 

He later added another kickoff return for a score that day and finished the game with four returns for 235 yards and earned Week 18 AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors.

With their leading rusher from the past four seasons, Devin Singletary, having joined the Houston Texans and Hines out long term, the bulk of the carries are expected to go to second-year pro James Cook and dynamic quarterback Josh Allen. Cook showed promise as a rookie, averaging 5.7 yards per carry on his 89 attempts.

Buffalo also added former New England Patriots starter Damien Harris to serve as the RB2 and veteran Latavius Murray as a depth piece.