Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR 550) - Just two days before training camp is set to begin, we learned that Buffalo Bills running back/return man Nyheim Hines will be out for the entire 2023 season after a freak jet ski accident.
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Hines was expected to be the team's primary punt and kick returner this season, with possible contributions on offense as well.
Where does that now leave the team at both running back and the return spots?
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James Cook and Damien Harris look to be entrenched as the team's main backs. After that, Hines' injury may mean that veteran Latavius Murray has a stronger chance to earn a spot on the 53-man roster.
Murray may have already made the team, but with Hines as the return man, he'd also be occupying a spot in the running back room, giving the team added depth. Murray could now be that player, especially if they elect to go with either Deonte Harty or Khalil Shakir as their main punt returner.
Harty was a First-Team All-Pro punt returner in 2019. He can obviously do it and do it well, but he's expected to play a significant role in the Bills' offense.
If they decide to have him return punts, will that impact his usage on offense? If so, maybe they just dismiss the idea altogether.
While Shakir doesn't have a ton of experience returning punts, he did return nine of them for an impressive 12.8 yards per-return his senior year at Boise State. He returned three of them last year for the Bills.
In addition to the actual roster, there are also financial and salary cap implications. I broke much of all of that down in this video:
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