Who Should I Start? Nyheim Hines or Jordan Wilkins

Tuesday, February 18, 9:08 PM

The Cleveland Browns released running back Nyheim Hines (knee) on Tuesday. Hines has not played in an NFL game due to a torn ACL since 2022, when he split time with the Indianapolis Colts and Buffalo Bills. The Browns were hoping that the 28-year-old would be ready at some point in 2024, but that never came to pass and he spent all year on Injured Reserve. He'll now have to prove he's past his knee injury in order to get picked up by another team looking for a RB with pass-catching skills out of the backfield as depth at the position. The former fourth-rounder (104th overall) by the Colts in 2018 out of North Carolina State has 306 rushing attempts for 1,202 yards and 10 touchdowns while adding 240 receptions for 1,778 receiving yards and eight TDs in five NFL seasons. Even if Hines latches on with a new team for 2025, he won't be on the fantasy radar.

Saturday, October 28, 12:20 PM

The Browns elevated running back Jordan Wilkins from the practice squad ahead of the team's upcoming meeting in Seattle. Under normal circumstances, this move wouldn't be newsworthy. However, it may paint a bigger picture, potentially signaling an impending absence by Jerome Ford (ankle), who remains questionable for Week 8. Fortunately for Cleveland, Kareem Hunt (thigh) was removed from the injury report, so he'll be the No. 1 option out of the backfield versus the Seahawks. Pierre Strong Jr. should also get some work, so fantasy managers shouldn't consider adding Wilkins in any format, considering the move was likely made purely for depth purposes.