Browns Cut Ties With Veteran RB Amid Injury Issues

The Cleveland Browns have decided to cut ties with veteran running back Nyheim Hines.

Hines was an intriguing signing for the Browns last offseason. He has proven to be a dynamic return man and can be a threat out of the backfield catching the ball. Over his career, Hines has collected 2,980 scrimmage yards and 18 touchdowns. He also has returned two punt returns and two kickoffs for scores.

However, he never saw the field with the Browns. Hines missed his second consecutive season due to an ACL tear he suffered during a jetski accident in July 2023.

Hines returned to practice with the Browns in October but was not activated to the 53-man roster within the 21-day window.

“He put in a lot of time and effort to try to get back. He did everything he could,” Browns special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone said. “The number one thing for him is his speed and his explosive ability, and he just wasn’t at that spot where we felt comfortable to make the move. So disappointed for him. He would have been a great asset for us to have moving forward, but hopefully things work out in the future.”

Nyheim Hines Wanted to Show Off Potential With Browns

Former Browns and Bills running back Nyheim Hines.

Hines is mostly known for his kick return ability and as a pass-catcher. He did not like being dubbed a “return specialist,” citing his ability as a receiver out of the backfield.

“I mean, I’m not the biggest guy in the world, but I’m not going to be scared,” Hines said on May 22. “I’m going to put my head down there. I’m known for my pass catching abilities, so the return specialist thing was kind of disrespectful, honestly, I don’t know. I don’t know any other return specialist who has over 230 catches in five years.”

Even if Hines was healthy, how much of a contributor he would have been is unknown. D’Onta Foreman, another notable offseason addition to the backfield, saw limited reps. Foreman notched just 71 carries last season — most of those coming after Nick Chubb went down with a season-ending foot injury.

Cleveland finished with just 94.6 yards per game on the ground, which ranked No. 29 in the NFL. Jerome Ford led the team in rushing with 565 yards and three touchdowns. He also notched 37 catches for 225 yards.

Nick Chubb’s Future With Browns Uncertain

Chubb is the player most fans are keeping track of this offseason. Cleveland’s fan-favorite running back is set to become a free agent, but a return to the Browns is uncertain.

“It’s always a challenging situation when one of your cornerstone players, their contract is up. That’s probably maybe a little bit the different situation this year relative to relative to last, where there is maybe perhaps a little bit less control on the club side with it,” Browns GM Andrew Berry said in January. “Those are all decisions that we do have to work through the next several weeks. We love Nick. He’s going to be a Ring of Honor player for us, and we know that. In terms of the short term, that’s something that quite honestly, we just have to work through over the next several weeks.”

Chubb has expressed his desire to return to Cleveland but acknowledges his future remains unclear.

“I’m not sure how it’ll work,” Chubb said. “This is the first time I’ve been a free agent. But I’d like to get it done sooner than later.”

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Browns Cut Ties With Veteran RB Amid Injury Issues

Nyheim Hines Wanted to Show Off Potential With Browns

Nick Chubb’s Future With Browns Uncertain

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