Bills’ RB situation gaining clarity following high-profile injury

The season-ending harm suffered by Nyheim Hines final month left the Payments short-handed within the backfield. His absence has led to elevated readability with respect to who ought to make the group’s 53-man roster, although, together with the pecking order on the place.

James Cook was already in line to deal with beginning duties with Devin Singletary having departed in free company, however Hines’ ACL tear ought to go away additional pass-catching alternatives out there this season. Cook dinner, 23, is well-positioned to construct on his manufacturing as a rookie this 12 months. He sits comfortably atop the depth chart heading into the marketing campaign, as famous by Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic.

Cook dinner posted 507 speeding yards on a formidable common of 5.7 per carry final season. A lot of that effectivity owes to his restricted workload (89 carries), nonetheless. The previous second-rounder added 180 yards and one in all his three complete touchdowns within the passing recreation, showcasing his talents on the bottom and thru the air. With veterans Damien Harris and Latavius Murray (the latter of whom was on the roster bubble earlier than the Hines harm) in place as complimentary choices, Cook dinner ought to see a pointy uptick from his 25% snap share as a rookie.

With Hines having suffered his harm in a jet ski accident, the Payments positioned him on the NFI checklist. That opens the door to a battle over the matter of compensation, one thing Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio reports is underway. Hines’ adjusted contract features a $1M signing bonus, $600K of which has already been paid. The Payments are contemplating withholding the remaining $400K, and paying Hines the equal of a apply squad gamers’ most earnings for a season. A proper grievance is an choice relying on how the ex-Colt responds to Buffalo’s dealing with of his case.

In the meantime, Hines not too long ago underwent surgical procedure on his injured knee, by way of NFL Community’s Tom Pelissero. That started the restoration course of forward of subsequent season, one thing that would be the focus of his private consideration shifting ahead. For the Payments, a lot will rely upon the play of their remaining backs, particularly Cook dinner, given the accountability he’s anticipated to shoulder in 2023.