Who Should I Start? Nyheim Hines or Jaret Patterson

Monday, July 21, 7:01 PM

Former Indianapolis Colts and Buffalo Bills running back Nyheim Hines, who hasn't played in the NFL for the last two seasons due to a knee injury, reached an undisclosed agreement with the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday, a source tells ESPN's Adam Schefter. The 28-year-old initially tore his left ACL in a jet-skiing accident after the 2022 season and missed all of 2023 and 2024 as a result. Before his injury, he was a useful pass-catching, change-of-pace option out of the backfield for the Colts and Bills. The Chargers are most likely adding Hines primarily as insurance for Najee Harris (eye), who is on the Non-Football Injury list to start training camp with a superficial eye injury that he suffered during a fireworks mishap. Hines is also known for his abilities as a returner on special teams, but for now, he'll strictly be RB depth for the Bolts with Harris not able to practice yet.

Saturday, August 31, 9:20 AM

The Los Angeles Chargers have signed free agent running back Jaret Patterson to their practice squad. He had been released from the 53-man roster earlier in the week but is now back in the building. The 24-year-old registered 339 yards and two touchdowns as a rookie in 2021, but his production has scaled back since then and he didn't even register a touch last year. He's merely a depth option behind the four running backs on the Chargers' active roster and therefore isn't expected to see the field much in 2024.