Colts running back Nyheim Hines impressed by Carson Wentz’s leadership
By Mark Carman
Carson Wentz is wasting no time making his presence felt in Indianapolis, according to running back Nyheim Hines.
Carson Wentz will have plenty of options when it comes to handing the ball off in 2021. The Colts running back room remains full with Jonathan Taylor, Hines, Jordan Wilkins and Marlon Mack returning from a season-ending achilles injury all wanting the football.
Getting to know his teammates and stepping into a leadership role will be vital for Wentz on his second NFL stop. According to Hines, Wentz is off to a good start.
“I’ve been in the facility the last couple months and just seeing how he (Wentz) is going into a new environment, clear mind, very very welcoming,” Hines said. “It seems like he is a great leader. When we are in film on virtual calls he is taking control of the meetings telling us what he likes what he doesn’t like what he sees.”
Wentz got criticized in Philadelphia for “playing favorites” and being his own worst enemy on unattributed quotes. Now on his second team, Wentz would logically want to make a good impression, but that is not something Hines or his Colt teammates seem to be expecting overnight.
“He’s (Wentz) not trying to win nobody over, he’s just being himself,” Hines said. “That’s all you ask for. If you are yourself, we will know who you are. We will see you, all that takes time.”
Colts: Nyheim Hines has faith in Carson Wentz
Hines would love to get the ball a bunch from Wentz in his contract year, but what he wants more than anything else is to contribute to a winning team. You will not hear Hines complain about lack of touches.
“We all want the ball,” Hines said. “We all know we have a very talented group of guys. We probably our the best running back group in the NFL. It’s all about buying into the team and the Colts. Each of us we don’t know how many opportunities we are going to get, but all of us are going to make sure we are ready when our number is called.”
Last season Taylor got the bulk of the carries, (232) while Hines has the most catches (63) out of the backfield. His 76 targets were second on the team behind wide receiver T.Y. Hilton. Wilkins ran the ball 84 times as well. The group seems to have a rare bond for young players all trying to prove themselves in the hyper competitive NFL.
“When JT (Jonathan Taylor) is out there running the ball, if I see something I’m letting JT know,” Hines said. “Thats why we have a great group. There is no hate in our group, there is no secrets. We talk through things. When you have guys around you that want to see you succeed it’s nothing but success on the horizon for us.”
That success on the horizon could come in a different uniform for Hines after the season. Free agency is hard to predict.
“No matter how it comes I’ll be ready,” Hines said. “I plan to be in Indy for a long time but that is not up to me it’s up to the Colts. I am going to keep working hard being a great teammate hopefully being a leader on the field. If it’s up to me I hope to be in Indy my entire career.”
Nyhiem Hines is working with FanDuel and MDA playing Duel for a Difference, which is a daily fantasy contest where a pro athlete plays against consumers.