Saints Sign Veteran Running Back After Series of Injuries (Report)
Nyheim Hines Returns to the NFL
The New Orleans Saints are bolstering their roster due to the uncertainty surrounding running backs Alvin Kamara and Devin Neal.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Nyheim Hines is joining the Saints’ practice squad.
Hines, 29, has made an impressive comeback this season after suffering a severe leg injury in a boating accident in July 2023, where he collided with another jet ski driver. The injury resulted in a torn ACL and MCL in his left leg, sidelining him for the entire 2023 and 2024 seasons. After his recovery, Hines returned to the NFL earlier this season with the Los Angeles Chargers.
The Saints are hoping Hines can still contribute, as they may need him sooner than expected.
With Alvin Kamara (knee/ankle) and Devin Neal (hamstring) both banged up, New Orleans is in urgent need of running back depth. Both players are expected to miss Sunday’s game against the New York Jets, with Neal already ruled out and Kamara having missed several games.
“We had DNPs for Alvin Kamara (ankle/knee),” said Saints head coach Kellen Moore on Wednesday. “Devin with the hamstring, he did not practice, and he will be out. Asim Richards with the ankle did not practice, Cesar Ruiz with the ankle did not practice, and Vele with the shoulder did not practice. They will all be out for the game. Justin Reid was limited with a knee issue, while Tyler was a full participant with a hip injury. Other than that, it was a good day. We’re ready to go.”
Kamara, Neal, and Kendre Miller (who was placed on injured reserve two months ago) have combined for more than two-thirds of New Orleans’ rushing yards (870 of 1,308) in 2025. If Kamara is unavailable this weekend, the team will lean on players like Evan Hull and Audric Estime.
Though Hines has negative rushing yards this season after just two attempts for -2 yards, he had a productive stretch from 2018 to 2021, averaging over 500 yards from scrimmage each year. With a fresh opportunity in New Orleans, the Saints hope he can return to that form.
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