Nyheim Hines Bio
Nyheim Arthur Miller-Hines is an American professional football running back and punt returner who plays in the National Football League (NFL). He currently plays for the New Orleans Saints, where he was signed to the practice squad in December 2025. A former fourth-round draft pick, he first entered the league with the Indianapolis Colts in 2018 after a productive college career at North Carolina State University.
Standing 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighing 198 pounds, Miller-Hines has built a reputation as a versatile back and a dangerous return man. He is recognized for his speed, having posted the fastest 40-yard dash time among running backs at the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine.
Early Life and Background
Nyheim Arthur Miller-Hines was born on November 12, 1996, in Garner, North Carolina. He grew up in the same hometown he would later represent on the football field, attending Garner Magnet High School, where he played for the Trojans. During his high school career, he became one of the most productive players in school history.
Across his time with the Trojans, Miller-Hines piled up 6,242 rushing yards and 7,299 total yards, scoring 126 touchdowns. He scored seven touchdowns in a single game on two occasions, and his production helped him set 15 school records. His performance drew college attention, and he committed to North Carolina State University to continue his football career.
In addition to football, Miller-Hines competed in track and field at Garner Magnet High School, an experience that helped sharpen the speed that later became a hallmark of his professional game. He has a twin sister, Nyah, who later competed for the NC State track and field team.
Path to American Football
Miller-Hines played college football at NC State from 2015 to 2017 under head coach Dave Doeren. As a junior in 2017, he rushed for 1,112 yards on 197 carries with 12 touchdowns, emerging as one of the top playmakers in the Atlantic Coast Conference. That season, he was named first team All-ACC and earned MVP honors in the 2017 Sun Bowl.
His college career also included time on NC State’s track team. At the ACC outdoor championships, he placed third in the 100 meters with a personal-best time of 10.34 seconds and recorded a 200-meter personal best of 21.31 seconds. Indoors, he posted a 60-meter personal best of 6.71 seconds, finishing third at the ACC indoor championships.
Following his junior season, Miller-Hines decided to forgo his senior year and enter the 2018 NFL draft, where his speed stood out. He ran a 4.38-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine, the fastest time recorded by a running back at that year’s event. He finished his college career with 1,400 rushing yards and 13 rushing touchdowns.
Nyheim Hines Career
Early Career (2018–2019)
The Indianapolis Colts selected Miller-Hines in the fourth round, 104th overall, of the 2018 NFL draft. He made his NFL debut in the season opener against the Cincinnati Bengals, recording five carries for 19 rushing yards and seven receptions for 33 receiving yards. The following week, he scored his first professional touchdown on an eight-yard rush against the Washington Redskins, and he later added two receiving touchdowns in an overtime loss to the Houston Texans. He finished his rookie season with 314 rushing yards, two rushing touchdowns, 63 receptions, 425 receiving yards, and two receiving touchdowns.
In 2019, Miller-Hines cemented his reputation as a punt return threat. Against the Carolina Panthers in Week 16, he returned two punts for touchdowns, an 84-yard return and a 71-yard return, becoming the first Indianapolis player to accomplish that feat and the first NFL player since Darius Reynaud in 2012 to do so in a single game. He earned AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors and finished the year with 199 rushing yards, two rushing touchdowns, 44 receptions, and 320 receiving yards.
Indianapolis Colts Breakthrough (2020–2021)
Miller-Hines opened the 2020 season against the Jacksonville Jaguars with a rushing touchdown and a receiving touchdown, both in the same game. He later added two receiving touchdowns in a Week 8 victory over the Detroit Lions and a combined 115 scrimmage yards with two scores against the Tennessee Titans on Thursday Night Football. He closed the season with 89 carries for 380 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns, along with 63 receptions for 482 receiving yards and four receiving touchdowns.
On September 10, 2021, the Colts signed Miller-Hines to a three-year, $18.6 million contract extension, recognizing his value as a dual-threat back and returner. He finished the 2021 season with 56 carries for 276 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns, adding 40 receptions for 310 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown. His impact in Indianapolis established him as one of the league’s most versatile role players.
Buffalo Bills Era (2022–2023)
On November 1, 2022, the Colts traded Miller-Hines to the Buffalo Bills in exchange for running back Zack Moss and a conditional sixth-round pick in the 2023 NFL draft. With the Bills, he appeared in 16 games and started five during the 2022 season, totaling 30 receptions for 241 receiving yards and a receiving touchdown along with one rushing score. In Week 18 against the New England Patriots, he returned two kickoffs for touchdowns, becoming the eleventh NFL player to accomplish that feat in a single game.
Miller-Hines missed the entire 2023 season after sustaining a leg injury in a personal watercraft accident during the offseason, in which he and another jet ski driver collided. He was placed on the reserve/non-football injury list on July 25, 2023, and on March 6, 2024, the Bills released him.
Cleveland Browns Era (2024)
On March 13, 2024, Miller-Hines signed with the Cleveland Browns. He was placed on the reserve/non-football injury list to begin the season and did not appear in any games for Cleveland. On February 18, 2025, the Browns released him.
Los Angeles Chargers Era (2025)
On July 22, 2025, Miller-Hines signed with the Los Angeles Chargers. He was released on August 26 and re-signed to the practice squad the following day before being released again on September 7. On October 7, he re-signed with Los Angeles’ practice squad, made three appearances as a practice squad elevation, and recorded two negative yards on two rushes before being released on October 28.
New Orleans Saints Era (2025–Present)
On December 18, 2025, Miller-Hines was signed to the New Orleans Saints’ practice squad. He played in one game for the Saints as a practice squad elevation, continuing his NFL career with the team that holds his current contract.
Driving Style and Strengths
Miller-Hines is known for his elite speed, sharp change-of-direction, and effectiveness in space, skills that made him one of the fastest running backs at the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine. He excels as a receiver out of the backfield and as a punt and kickoff returner, using quickness to create separation and finish in the open field.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among his signature accomplishments, Miller-Hines recorded two punt return touchdowns in a single game in 2019 and two kickoff return touchdowns in a single game in 2022, joining a small group of NFL players to achieve both feats. He is also a former Sun Bowl MVP and a first team All-ACC selection from his 2017 season at NC State.
Nyheim Hines Career Wins
Miller-Hines has built his professional resume through versatility rather than rushing volume, contributing as a runner, receiver, and return specialist across multiple teams. His career NFL statistics include 1,202 rushing yards, 10 rushing touchdowns, 240 receptions, 1,778 receiving yards, 8 receiving touchdowns, 1,832 return yards, and 4 return touchdowns.
NFL Highlights
Miller-Hines has produced key individual performances for each of his NFL teams, including his two punt return touchdowns for the Colts in 2019 and his two kickoff return touchdowns for the Bills in 2022. His first career touchdown came on an eight-yard rush against Washington in 2018, while his recent appearances came with the Los Angeles Chargers and the New Orleans Saints.
Other Wins and Performances
In college, Miller-Hines earned Sun Bowl MVP honors and first team All-ACC recognition after his 2017 junior season at NC State. He also earned AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors during his 2019 campaign with the Colts.
Nyheim Hines Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Miller-Hines was raised in Garner, North Carolina, where he built the foundation for his football career. His twin sister, Nyah, competed for the NC State track and field team, extending the family’s athletic footprint beyond his own accomplishments.
Personal Life
Outside of football, Miller-Hines has worked at the restaurant chain Bojangles during the offseason to prepare for business opportunities after his playing career. He continues to live and train in the United States as he pursues his NFL journey.
2025 Season Performance
Miller-Hines’ 2025 season has been defined by movement between practice squads and brief elevations. After spending the early part of the year with the Los Angeles Chargers, where he made three appearances as a practice squad elevation and recorded two negative yards on two rushes, he was released on October 28.
On December 18, 2025, the New Orleans Saints signed Miller-Hines to their practice squad, giving him an opportunity to finish the year with a new organization. He appeared in one game for New Orleans as a practice squad elevation, looking to earn a longer look from the team.
With the Saints’ regular season still unfolding, Miller-Hines will look to leverage his return-game experience and pass-catching ability to carve out a consistent role. His combination of speed, versatility, and special teams value gives him a clear path to contribute in New Orleans if given the opportunity.