New York’s ORCHARD PARK (AP) — A person with direct knowledge of the matter confirmed to The Associated Press on Tuesday that the Buffalo Bills have notified running back Nyheim Hines that they will be releasing him this week as part of a salary cap-cutting maneuver ahead of the NFL’s free agency season.
Since the conversations were private, the person talked to the AP under the condition of anonymity. The impending judgment on Hines was originally revealed on Sunday by ESPN.com.
Even if the Bills have allowed Hines to sign with them again, there is no assurance the player will come back when free agency begins on March 13.
Hines, whose contract was about to expire, missed the entire previous campaign because of a knee injury he received in a jet ski mishap shortly before training camp began. Hines, 27, has started training again, but it’s not certain when he’ll be allowed to practice.
Hines is free to join with any team again, but there is no guarantee he will return when free agency opens on March 13.
Hines’s contract was set to expire, and he had missed the entire previous season due to a jet ski accident that left him with a damaged knee just before training camp started. Hines, 27, has resumed his training, although it’s unclear when he’ll be able to work out.
The Bills made their decision in part because of Hines’ ailment and the $5.1 million he is owed this season. A team that entered the summer with projections to be an NFL record $44 million over the cap entering 2024 will have roughly $4.6 million in cap room once Hines leaves.
