Returner Recap and Latest News: Week 2

Individual returner projections for each week are included in your MyFBG projections and rankings automatically. My returner projections are included in the default projection set with David Dodds' offensive predictions. Choose David as the source, and then choose a scoring system in which you have included points for return yards.

The base return projections for a week can be seen on this page. You can also go to the content for the week and use the Returner Projections link to get to that page.

UPDATES

Dri Archer has been ruled out for Pittsburgh's Thursday night game against the Ravens. LeGarrette Blount is the player most likely to get kick returns with Archer out.

Earl Thomas is no longer going to be returning punts for the Seahawks according to coach Pete Carroll. Bryan Walters is expected to get first chance at punt returns now, though other players could be in the mix.

De'Anthony Thomas has been ruled out for the Chiefs. Frankie Hammond should handle punts again.

Week 1 Recap

Top Performers

Jacoby Jones led all returners with 111 combined return yards, 109 of which came from kick returns. Second to Jones was Tampa Bay returner Solomon Patton, who was activated from the team's practice squad in time to take over the return duties in their Week 1 game. Patton had 2 kick returns for 52 yards and 4 punt returns for 56 yards to amass 108 total yards, the only other player besides Jones to break the century mark.

Travis Benjamin got Cleveland's kickoff return game off to a strong start with 4 returns for 85 yards. Benjamin played a Steelers team who were amongst the worst in the league last year in recording touchbacks.

Darren Sproles picked up a league best 62 yards on punt returns, and likely quelled some initial worries as to how much coach Chip Kelly would use Sproles on returns. In Kansas City, receiver Frankie Hammond filled in for an injured De'Anthony Thomas and managed 47 yards on 4 punt returns, third best behind Sproles and Patton.

No returners made it all the way to the house this week.

All Week 1 Returners

Here are all returners for Week 1 sorted by total return yards:

Week 2 Outlook

Job Changes

With Solomon Patton back on the roster, the Buccaneers have likely locked in their returner for the season.

Last season New England switched kickoff returners regularly over the first half of the season before settling on LeGarrette Blount as the hot hand. This year the team may be using the same strategy, with Patrick Chung and Devin McCourty both seeing kickoff returns despite not being listed as top returners on the team depth chart.

LaMichael James was released by the 49ers, cementing running back Bruce Ellington as the 49ers primary returner. His backups are up in the air, with Quinton Patton, Perrish Cox, and newly signed Kassim Osgood all possibilities.

The Bears used Santonio Holmes as their punt returner, and have now released Micheal Spurlock. A good bet for the backup in Chicago would be Darius Reynaud, who the team signed shortly before the season began.

Though the Colts depth chart listed Loucheiz Purifoy as their starting punt returner, it was receiver Griff Whalen who had five punt returns for Indianapolis.

Damaris Johnson was picked up by the Houston Texans after his release in Philadelphia. Johnson handled all of the return duties in the team's Week 1 game against Washington, putting Keshawn Martin in the role of backup.

The Rams sent wide receiver Chris Givens out to handle all of the kickoffs from the Vikings. Minnesota scored 34 points, but the numerous kickoffs that resulted only yielded one return by Givens.

INJURIES OF NOTE

Jaguars punt returner Ace Sanders is still suspended. Mike Brown capably handled the returns for Jacksonville with Sanders out, returning 3 punts for 28 yards. William Blackmon is serving as Brown's backup.

Bronco Wes Welker is suspended and will continue to be replaced on punts by Isaiah Burse. There is a chance that Welker's suspension may be lifted if the NFLPA and NFL agree on a new substance abuse policy.

De'Anthony Thomas injured a hamstring during practice and was left inactive for Week 1. His status for Week 2 bears watching. Frankie Hammond handled punt returns for Kansas City with Thomas out.

The Steelers saw kick returner Dri Archer suffer ankle and knee injuries in their Week 1 game. He has missed practice early in the week. Pittsburgh would likely turn to running back LeGarrette Blount if Archer is unable to play.