Nyheim

Hines

The Chargers are also getting RT Trey Pipkins III (knee) back this evening. This is great news for QB Justin Herbert as he prepares to face the Vikings’ top-tier blitz-based defensive scheme. The Chargers declared RB Hassan Haskins, CB Nikko Reed, OLB Kyle Kennard, OL Jamaree Salyer, OT Austin Deculus, WR KeAndre Lambert-Smith and TE Will Dissly inactive for Week 8 against the Vikings. With Haskins out, the Chargers have elevated RBs Nyheim Hines and Jaret Patterson from the practice squad.

The Chargers will likely promote one or more practice squad running backs to the active roster tomorrow. The available players include RBs Nyheim Hines, Amar Johnson and Jaret Patterson. All three profile as pass catchers and/or speedy change-of-pace players, so starting RB Kimani Vidal can be expected to continue handling a three-down workload. He is an RB2 this week.

The team also signed Nyheim Miller-Hines to their practice squad. Both running backs were cut at the end of training camp. Vidal re-signed to the team’s pratice squad and is now being called up permanently with both Najee Harris and Omarion Hampton on injured reserve. Vidal will split work with Hassan Haskins this week. Haskins should handle more work on early downs, making him the priority off waivers this week. Vidal will be a high-risk RB4 for Week 6.

Hines has a chance to play immediately with the Chargers running back position in shambles following the Omarion Hampton injury. He’d certainly make some sense as a passing-downs caddy for Hassan Haskins. We’ll likely need some coach quotes to verify how likely it is that Hines will be active. Haskins is probably the favorite for early-down duties.

Felton spent all of training camp with the Commanders and can provide the pass-catching threat the Commanders lost after Austin Ekeler’s Achilles injury. Even if Felton lands in Washington, it seems unlikely the team would move to activate him on game day early on. Veteran Jeremy McNichols will likely get the first crack at a third-down role and has 49 career receptions to his name. Felton hasn’t played an offensive snap since 2022. In addition to Felton, the Commanders also worked out RBs Khalil Herbert and Nyheim Hines, and DBs Tre Brown, Alex Johnson, and Trayvon Mullen.

Miller-Hines played in all of the Chargers’ preseason games, including the Hall of Fame game. He rushed 21 times for 65 yards and one fumble, caught 3-of-6 targets for 13 yards, averaged 25.7 yards per kick return and 4.7 yards per punt return.

Hines last played for the Bills during the 2022 season, before a July jet skiing accident derailed his career. Now completely recovered from torn ACL and LCL injuries, Hines catches on with a Chargers team currently dealing with questionable depth following the fireworks injury sustained by recent addition Najee Harris. Also currently on the roster are 2025 first-round selection Omarion Hampton, Hassan Haskins, Kimani Vidal, and Jaret Patterson. Hines profiles as a scat back/change of pace option and was a standout special teams player with the Colts and Bills, something that does little to answer questions regarding Harris’ current health. Even if Harris is fine, Hines could push Vidal for a roster spot.

The Chargers have a deep running back room with Najee Harris and Omarion Hampton occupying the top two spots, but Hines does offer some value as a third-down back and returner. The veteran running back is simply hoping to compete for a spot on a 53-man roster in camp, which the Chargers may be willing to offer him. We’ll see if anything materializes from the visit between the two sides. In addition to Hines, the Chargers also worked out RB John Kelly, who had a short stint with the team last season.

Hines suffered a torn ACL during a jet-ski accident in 2023 and hasn’t played an NFL game since. The running back/return man said he believes his knee is now fully recovered and is hoping he can join a team before the start of training camp. Hines caught 30 passes for 241 yards and one touchdown in 2022 while splitting time with the Colts and Bills, and also returned 19 kicks for 554 yards and two scores. At 28 years old, there should be plenty of teams interested in giving him a look due to his special teams prowess and abilities in the passing game, but he’ll be far from a lock to make a roster wherever he lands.

Updating a prior report from NBC Houston’s Aaron Wilson, the Texans hosted Hines, along with former Bengals RBs Trayveon Williams and Chris Evans, for a workout yesterday. Despite drafting former USC RB Woody Marks in the fourth round, the Texans appear dead set on adding another speedy pass-catching running back to the mix. Although Hines was technically under contract with the Bills (2023) and Browns (2024), he has not played football since tearing his ACL in a July 2023 jet skiing accident.