Nyheim Hines’ stint with the Buffalo Bills appeared to be coming to an end not long after he sustained a season-ending injury in a jet ski crash.
After the accident that left him with a ruptured ACL, the running back’s agent lashed out at the team, implying in a cryptic statement that they were failing to do the right thing with his $2.56 million paycheck.
Hines, on the other hand, said that settlement talks concluded on a favorable note and expressed a willingness to return to the Bills after completing treatment.
Nyheim Hines and his team have reached a decision.
Hines said in an interview with The Athletic that he was able to strike an agreeable conclusion with the team following the accident, which occurred over the Fourth of July weekend. According to the article, because his injuries occurred away from the organization, the Bills were not compelled to pay him anything.
After the parties reached an agreement on a reduced payout, Hines stated that he was satisfied.
“We were both upset, both parties were upset,” Hines said. “That was not something I expected to happen. They had not anticipated this happening. We both had lofty goals for myself. And they know I hold myself accountable, and they realized this was going to kill me more than it was going to hurt them.”
It appeared that a solution was out of grasp at first. Agent Ed Wasielewski posted a strange message on X that appeared to be directed at the team.
“Adversity reveals character,” he said. “Everyone has the option of treating others with dignity and respect. When one employee is hurt, it’s interesting to see how a firm handles its own. I will continue to believe that when bad things happen to their loved ones, people will do the right thing.”
In this week’s interview, Hines expressed his appreciation for the franchise, stating he still considered himself a Bills fan and hoped to return.
“They treated me right at the end of the day and they took care of it and I’m a member of the Buffalo Bills and I look forward to coming back there next year and earning the right to win,” he told ESPN.
Nyheim Could Be Available for the Bills Hines is set to return.
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Hines made an immediate impact after being acquired by the Bills at the trade deadline last season, returning two kickoffs for touchdowns in an emotional season finale triumph against the New England Patriots just days after Damar Hamlin collapsed on the field.
The Bills signed quick receiver Deonte Harty in the offseason to take over return duties, but he failed to make an impact and was a healthy scratch against the Philadelphia Eagles on November 26. According to The Athletic’s Joe Buscaglia, the Bills could release Harty after the season if they so desire.
“The Bills would save over $4M to move on from Harty before his roster bonus is due in mid-March,” Buscaglia wrote on ESPN.
Harty has also made little of an impact on offense. This season, the former New Orleans Saints receiver had only 13 catches for 113 yards and one touchdown.
