Colts: Nyheim Hines’ roller-coaster snap counts make no sense
By Jerry Trotta
It doesn’t look good for Frank Reich that we continue to find ourselves questioning his game plan for the offense.
Whether it be asking Carson Wentz to play hero on two bum ankles, or failing to give Jonathan Taylor, an ascending star at the running back position, more than 15 carries per game, Reich hasn’t covered himself in glory this season.
Unfortunately, that narrative continued this week. Yes, the Colts are coming off a win, so we’re not going to come down too hard on the head coach. However, his usage of Nyheim Hines this year has made zero sense.
In Weeks 1 and 3, Hines combined to log 26 touches. We would all agree that’s a reasonable workload for the dynamic RB, right? However, in Weeks 2 and 4, Hines touched the pigskin a combined six times.
That’s inexcusable.
#Colts utilization of Nyheim Hines has been a rollercoaster. Here’s his touches each week:
— Locked On Colts Podcast (@LockedOnColts) October 6, 2021
15
2
11
4
Makes no sense.
The Colts’ usage of running back Nyheim Hines makes no sense.
With all due respect to Marlon Mack, who’s oddly still getting run despite publicly admitting to wanting a trade out of Indianapolis, he should not be splitting snaps (31%) with Hines as Taylor’s primary backup. To make matters worse, Mack out-touched Hines 10 to four vs the Dolphins.
Hines played a season-low 22 snaps and ran just 11 routes in Week 4. Could you make the case that he got less playing time because Indy was running the ball effectively with Taylor, who racked up 106 yards on 16 carries? Hines will obviously be more of a focal point when the Colts are obligated to throw more, right?
Absolutely. If that’s the case, though, then what’s the excuse for Hines’ minimal workload in Week 2 against the Rams … when Indy was playing from behind virtually the whole game? Why wasn’t Hines a part of the game plan then? It’s not like Taylor was getting peppered with carries (he got 15).
Hines should be a lock to log at least eight touches each game. Anything less than that and his $18.6 million extension — which was fully deserved — looks like a miscalculation. The Colts offered him that contract to be a key cog in their offense every Sunday, not to be used sparingly like some gadget player who’s only effective on screens and end arounds.
The #Colts and RB Marlon Mack have agreed to mutually seek a trade, per sources. Mack is fully healthy after last year’s Achilles tear. But Jonathan Taylor as the bell cow and Nyheim Hines recently extended, Mack is hoping for opportunities elsewhere.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 28, 2021
We know Hines muffed a punt in Week 4, but if his lack of playing time thereafter was a punishment for that blunder, then A LOT more players on the roster should’ve been disciplined over the first month of the season.
Behind Taylor and Michael Pittman, you’d be hard-pressed to name a more versatile weapon on the offense than Hines. If the Colts don’t start taking advantage of his unique skillet, the offense will struggle to break out of its slump.
