Buffalo Bulletin: Kick Returner Catastrophe

On Monday, Tom Pelissero reported that Buffalo Bills running back and star kick returner Nyheim Hines had suffered a season-ending injury. The team rarely seems to catch a break, and they won’t get one this year either.

#Bills RB Nyheim Hines suffered a significant knee injury off-site and is expected to miss the entire 2023 season, sources tell me and @RapSheet.

A tough break for Buffalo and the versatile Hines, who was acquired at the trade deadline last fall. pic.twitter.com/5nMtV6xtAd

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) July 24, 2023

Nyheim Hines’ Injury

The injury itself would be comical if it weren’t so tragic. Sitting stationary on a jet-ski, Nyheim Hines was hit by another rider. For Hines, he lost out on a rare NFL starting job, and may not get the chance to compete again once he’s recovered from this injury.

The actual damage was done to the ACL, and projects for a full recovery in time for 2024’s training camp. Buffalo Fanatics’ own Alec Lucci provides a full breakdown of the injury itself. He also notes the implications of the method of injury against the remaining value of Hines’ contract.

Regardless, we won’t have Nyheim Hines returning kicks for us in 2023. This news comes as the Bills prepared to kick off training camp, and adds one more problem to the heap. Who’s up next?

Kick Returner Replacements

There are a number of plausible candidates out there. It’s important to note that it’s unlikely that the team pursues replacing Hines in the offense; He offered little there in 2022 and would be deep on the depth chart for 2023. Focusing exclusively on filling the role of kick and punt returner, here’s what we’re working with.

Darrynton Evans

The Buffalo Bills brought in a few running backs on Monday for workouts, following the injury, and signed one of them. Darrynton Evans, formerly of Appalachian State, was selected in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft by the Tennessee Titans. In college, he was a speedy returner who brought a lot to the table, but hasn’t seen success so far as a pro. The timing of this signing implies his expectation to replace Hines role, but that’s unconfirmed.

JD McKissic

This is a fun one. McKissic is a former Buffalo Bill, if you believe this piece I wrote in March 2022. He backed out of that deal, which led to the drafting of James Cook to fill a similar role. Currently a free agent, he could prove adequate as a one-year fill-in if we fail to find the answer on the roster.

Khalil Shakir

The Buffalo Bills’ 2022 fifth-round pick became a fan favourite last season, and filled in reasonably well when WR Isaiah McKenzie fumbled the starting job. In college he returned punts, and the occasional kickoff, but it was never a critical or highly-value part of his game. Still, Khalil Shakir has much to offer, especially if they intend to keep their kick returner active within the offense.

With a typical role on special teams unlikely, and little room on a crowded depth chart, this may be just the justification that the Bills need to keep Shakir around and active on gamedays.

Micah Hyde

Micah Hyde is a safe pick for returning punts. Unfortunately, he’s too valuable and too ‘experienced’ to take too many extra hits. Kick returning is something he’s capable of, but it’s not something we should want him doing.

If Hyde took over, expect him to be more of a fair catch specialist than a returner.

Deonte Harty

Now, let’s not mince words; Deonte Harty is the obvious choice. He was an elite returner in college, and proved to be much of the same in the pros. He was named a 2019 First-Team All-Pro kick returner in 2019, and went to the Pro Bowl. Since then, he’s seen a drop in both usage and production, but we can expect him to be back to his old tricks when September rolls around.

We may not see another moment like this one, but the Buffalo Bills will be fine at kick returner.

If you don't pick the Hines TD you simply don't get it. #BillsMafia https://t.co/h4sdQgmsSW pic.twitter.com/Z6tGX9QnPi

— Iestyn T Harris (@IestynTHarris) March 4, 2023

We wish Nyheim Hines a speedy and successful recovery, and the opportunity to retake the starting job in 2024, in Buffalo or elsewhere.

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Like this piece? Check out the previous Buffalo Bulletin on Eric Washington’s promotion to Assistant Head Coach.

The Buffalo Bulletin on Buffalo Fanatics is a weekly editorial by Iestyn Harris. Check back regularly for hot topics, riveting discussion, and, occasionally, some actual insight.

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