Hines played at NC State from 2015 to 2017 under head coach Dave Doeren.[5][6] As a junior in 2017, he rushed for 1,112 yards on 197 carries with 12 touchdowns.[7] After the season, he decided to forgo his senior year and enter the 2018 NFL draft.[8][9] He finished his career with 1,400 rushing yards and 13 rushing touchdowns.[10]
In addition, Hines was a member of NC State's track team. At the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) outdoor track and field championships he placed third in the 100 meters, with a personal-best time of 10.34 seconds. He also recorded a personal-best time of 21.31 seconds in 200 meters, placing him eighth. His personal-best in the 60 meters is 6.71 seconds, placing him third at the ACC indoor championships.[11][12]
Hines was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the fourth round, 104th overall of the 2018 NFL draft.[16] In his NFL debut, a season-opening 34–23 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, Hines had five carries for 19 rushing yards along with seven receptions for 33 receiving yards.[17] In the following game, a 21–9 victory over the Washington Redskins, Hines scored his first professional touchdown, an eight-yard rush.[18] In Week 4, against the Houston Texans, Hines had nine receptions for 63 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns in the overtime loss.[19] Overall, he finished his rookie season with 314 rushing yards, two rushing touchdowns, 63 receptions, 425 receiving yards, and two receiving touchdowns.[20] In the Wild Card Round against the Texans, he played but recorded no meaningful statistics in his playoff debut, a 21–7 victory.[21] In the Divisional Round against the Kansas City Chiefs, he had three carries for 24 rushing yards in the 31–13 loss.[22]
In Week 16 of the 2019 season against the Carolina Panthers, Hines returned two punts for touchdowns, the first one being an 84-yard return and the second one being a 71-yard return, during the 38–6 win.[23] He became the first player since Darius Reynaud in 2012 to have two punt returns for a touchdown in a single game. In addition, he became the first player in franchise history to accomplish the feat.[24] He earned AFC Special Teams Player of the Week.[25] Overall, Hines finished the 2019 season with 52 carries for 199 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns to go along with 44 receptions for 320 receiving yards.[26]
In the Colts' 2020 season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Hines rushed for 28 yards and a rushing touchdown and caught eight passes for 45 yards and a receiving touchdown in the 27–20 loss.[27] In Week 8 against the Detroit Lions, Hines recorded 54 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns in the 41–21 victory.[28] In Week 10 against the Tennessee Titans on Thursday Night Football, he had 115 scrimmage yards, one rushing touchdown, and one receiving touchdown in the 34–17 victory.[29] In the 2020 season, Hines finished with 89 carries for 380 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns to go along with 63 receptions for 482 receiving yards and four receiving touchdowns.[30]
On September 10, 2021, Hines signed a three-year, $18.6 million contract extension with the Colts.[31] Hines finished the 2021 season with 56 carries for 276 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns to go along with 40 receptions for 310 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown.[32]
Buffalo Bills
On November 1, 2022, the Colts traded Hines to the Buffalo Bills in exchange for running back Zack Moss and a conditional sixth-round pick in the 2023 NFL draft.[33] In Week 18 against the New England Patriots, Hines returned two kickoffs for touchdowns, becoming the eleventh NFL player to do so in a single game in the 35–23 win.[34] Hines appeared in 16 games and started five in the 2022 season. He totaled 30 receptions for 241 receiving yards and a receiving touchdown while adding a rushing touchdown. He was a major part of the kickoff return game toward the end of the season.[35]
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 with each other.[36] He was placed on the reserve/non-football injury list on July 25, 2023.[37]
On March 6, 2024, Hines was released by the Bills.[38]
Cleveland Browns
On March 13, 2024, Hines signed with the Cleveland Browns.[39] He was placed on the reserve/non-football injury list to start the season.[40]
^Led the league in kickoffs returned for touchdowns (2).[41]
Personal life
Hines' twin sister, Nyah, competed for the NC State track and field team.[42] Hines has worked at Bojangles in the off-season to prepare for business after football.[43]