Colts might need a new return man

Special teams are very important to a winning team. The Colts have good special teams for the most part, but there is one area that they need to address.

The Colts have performed well so far in regards to special teams. They have a good kicking unit, a pretty good punter, and good coverage units so far. The coverage units were the main issue for the last few years, but now it might be a different area; the return man.

Nyheim Hines was drafted to be a Swiss-army knife type. He was supposed to give the Colts a shot in the arm in the return game as well. He hasn’t done that so far. He has had issues catching punts cleanly and has had fumbling issues as well.

Hines has fumbled four times in two games. That is something that can’t happen. Special teams is a field position battle. If you turn the ball over when you’re supposed to be getting it back, that is not going to cut it. And Frank Reich will not deal with that.

Reich might have to look at making some changes. Hines is only a rookie and has a lot to learn still, but the Colts can’t afford to lose the ball. They need a reliable return man to keep the team in games. They don’t need a big play hitter, they just need some who can reliably keep the ball.

Hines will have other opportunities to impact the game as a rookie. He still can catch the ball well and is still a quick player. He might even get some carries out of the backfield. But the team needs to make a move and take his return duties away.

It will be interesting to see if he is still back there returning kicks and punts in their third preseason game on Saturday against the 49ers.