Perhaps the Chargers still win Sunday in Miami if they don’t start at their own 41-yard line.

But there’s no doubt that Nyheim Hines’ 40-yard kickoff return helped jumpstart the game-winning drive.

Hines this week said it was a team effort to produce the Bolts longest kickoff return of the season to date.

“It felt really good. Honestly, I get a lot of credit but these are one of the plays where I didn’t really have to do much,” Hines said. “Coach Fick “[Special Teams Cooridnator Ryan Ficken] had a good plan in, I was where I was supposed to be and I don’t think I got touched until I got tackled.

“Only thing I could say about me in that play is, ‘Thank the Lord I’m fast to get through that.’ But Marlowe Wax had a good block,” Hines added. “And KLS [KeAndre Lambert-Smith], that’s a rookie coming in and stepping up. It’s good see us block and hustle for each other.”

Hines’ clutch play came in his first regular-season game since Week 18 of the 2022 season.

Hines suffered a knee injury in a jet ski accident that caused him to miss all of the 2023 and 2024 seasons.

“Just really thankful, a lot of trials and tribulations to get back to where I was. It was 1,008 days since my last regular-season game,” Hines said. “Everyone thinks I’m back, but in my head I’m not, this is where I was supposed to be.

“It took a year longer than I thought, but I knew I would be back. In my head, I’m not back until I go out there, makes some plays and help this team win by getting in the end zone,” Hines added.

With Derius Davis returning to practice this week, there’s a chance the Chargers usual returner could be back in the mix soon.

But even when Davis comes back, the Bolts know they have a reliable option in Hines, who could have a full-circle moment Sunday against the Colts.

Hines was a 2018 fourth-round pick of Indianapolis.

“Outside of playing in the Super Bowl, this is full circle for me. Played a lot of games, played a lot of playoff games, been cut now,” Hines said. “Even now, practice squad. I think for me I’m just thankful, [the Chargers] gave me a call, they were the first team to call me and sign me.

“I hope to be here as long as I can. I really do like Coach Harbaugh, respect for him as a coach. I’m a football fan, so watched him my whole life so it’s really cool,” Hines added. “I’m appreciative of the opportunity with the Chargers and I look forward to showing how thankful and appreciative of them I am on the field.”