Indianapolis Colts running back Nyheim Hines enters the 2020 season having proven his flexibility out of the backfield over his first two professional campaigns. Now, in what could be a crowded backfield alongside a healthy Marlon Mack and rookie Jonathan Taylor, Hines is hoping to craft out a role that could make him particularly valuable for veteran signal caller Philip Rivers.

Hines detailed his plan to the Colts' team website:

“I’m very excited. Been waiting two or three years, just trying to catch balls and hopefully I get a little bit more opportunity. I’m going to try and earn that. As a running back, we’re the safety valve. I’ve always thought I was the safety valve that can take a five-yard dump and turn it into 50. That’s really what I’ve been planning on doing the last two years and hopefully show glimpses of it. I would love to do that this year and I think with Philip back there, there would be a great possibility of it.”

Article Continues Below

In his first two years with the Colts, Hines has been utilized nearly as much in the passing game as he has been on the ground. He was targeted 58 times in the air last year (recording 44 receptions), while receiving 52 carries.

With numerous new faces littering the offensive side of the ball for Indianapolis, Hines' explosiveness will be familiar to fans. Just what his role will be remains up in the air, but as he has shown over the past two seasons, he has a propensity to find his way onto the field and move the chains.