22-07-2025
Former Browns RB Nyheim Hines ready for NFL return
A Former Cleveland Browns running back is preparing a major bounce-back to the NFL after recovering from a disastrous knee injury. Nyheim Hines, one of the best return men in the NFL, is ready to return after suffering a traumatic knee injury in a jet ski accident.
The 2023 injury ruptured his ACL and LCL, requiring multiple surgeries. It has kept Hines out of the NFL for two seasons. The Cleveland Browns signed Hines last year, but placed him on the non-football injury list at the start of the season. The team released him in February of this year.
Hines isn't letting anything stop his comeback. He sat down with the Charlotte Observer on the anniversary of his accident to discuss his life and return to the NFL. Hines, a North Carolina native and North Carolina State alumnus, was candid when talking about his injury and motivations. Hines has faced a tough time recovering from his injury. The injury was a random, off-the-field, career-threatening injury. It was a struggle for him to deal with the senseless nature of the accident.
It was even harder going online and seeing people make callous remarks about the injury, dressed up as humorous. Hines relied on his family, therapist, agent, and trainer following his injury. He wasn't the only person in his family suffering from a debilitating medical emergency. Hines' mother, Nannette Miller, was placed on life support around the start of the 2023 NFL season. Over the next few months, she recovered from her medical scare and returned to their home in December. His family suffers from a genetic muscular dystrophy disease.
The disease took the life of his grandmother, Clotiel Miller, in 2004. His uncle also suffers from the disease. Hines got a tattoo on his left wrist featuring green ribbons, the symbol for muscular dystrophy awareness. Hines is motivated to resume his NFL career for himself and his Hines never played a down for Cleveland, he did get a major takeaway from the Browns. Hines found a lot of motivation rehabbing besides Nick Chubb. He told the Observer:
'I would say my biggest inspiration is Nick Chubb. I met him month eight of my surgery (recovery) when I signed in April (2024). We did everything together. And he came off a catastrophic injury before this, so I leaned on him a lot.'
Hines is ready to resume his NFL career. He hasn't touched a field in over 900 days since his injury. However, he's prepared to play again. The NFL is in a state of constant desperation for special teams talent. Hines has been a dangerous return man during his NFL career. He should have an opportunity to play under the dynamic kick return rule. Hines is a special talent; it'd be a shame if he never got another shot in the NFL.
This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: Former Browns RB Nyheim Hines ready for his return to the NFL
