Returner Recap and Latest News: Week 6

Photo: Kim Klement, USA Today Sports

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 there.

UPDATES

Tyler Varga was placed on Injured Reserve by the Colts.

Denard Robinson is practicing fully with the Jaguars.

Raheem Mostert was claimed from waivers by the Ravens, and could be an option at kick returner if something happens to Jeremy Ross.

Quintin Demps is out for Houston this week.

Week 5 Recap

Top Performers

Jeremy Ross was brought in Week 5 by Baltimore after their returners were decimated by injuries. Ross made the most of his opportunity, leading the league with 157 combined return yards, most coming from the 5 kick returns that Ross picked up 136 yards on. Brandon Tate was second best with 114 total return yards.

Bobby Rainey took advantage of a slow week from Seattle's Tyler Lockett to take over the season lead in total return yards. Though not reaching the end zone, Rainey has better return averages than Lockett on both kickoffs and punts. Jarvis Landry is in third despite having had his bye already, and there was good news for his fantasy prospects as a returner as Miami released some of Landry's competition for kick returns.

Week 5 also saw some significant developments in the return of Jacoby Jones, and an injury to Jamaal Charles in Kansas City that could be setting the table for De'Anthony Thomas to make a bigger splash as a returner.

All Week 5 Returners

Below are all returners for Week 5.

Returners Year to Date

Here are the top 40 returners for the year by total return yards.

Week 6 Outlook

Job Changes

Marcus Thigpen was released by Buffalo and has been signed by the Colts. He is likely to be involved in the return game there, where Tyler Varga has been dealing with a concussion.

After releasing Thigpen, the Bills turned to receiver Denarius Moore to handle punt returns. Percy Harvin continued as the kickoff returner.

Ameer Abdullah was benched after having two fumbles in Detroit's Week 5 game. T.J. Jones handled returns in place of Abdullah. Abdullah may get another chance at the kickoff returns, but owners have to be concerned he may be on a shorter leash now.

The Ravens signed Jeremy Ross to handle their kickoff and punt returns. Lardarius Webb also handled a punt though was injured in the game. Ross did particularly well on kickoff returns and as long as he remains active is a good bet to hang onto the job.

The Dolphins released kick returner Raheem Mostert, clearing the way for Jarvis Landry to continue seeing more returns. Mostert had already been inactive in the Dolphins last game.

Jacoby Jones finally returned and played for the Chargers on Monday night. Jones should continue on as both the punt and kick returner as long as he is healthy.

Shane Vereen continued to see kickoffs for the Giants over Dwayne Harris, though Harris is still fielding punts.

The injury to Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles may shake up their return game. Knile Davis may see more work on offense which could lead to a reduction in kickoff returns. De'Anthony Thomas has also been mentioned as potentially getting more work at running back, but it is quite possible that Davis and Charcandrick West will pick up most of the slack at running back and Thomas will take over Davis's kick return duties. For leagues with an individual returner slot, Thomas could be poised to see a jump in value if things play out well for him. If Thomas does take on most of the kick returns that would move him up to around third in my returner projections for the rest of the season forward.

After Lance Dunbar was lost to the Cowboys last week, they turned to Lucky Whitehead to handle kickoffs. He may also spell Cole Beasley on some punt returns. The Cowboys are on bye this week.

INJURIES OF NOTE

As was previously mentioned, Lardarius Webb suffered a thigh injury in Week 5. Jeremy Ross may already be moving in to take over the returner jobs, though Webb did handle a punt return this week.

Reggie Bush left San Francisco's game with a calf injury. Though Bush was mentioned early as a returner for the 49ers, Bruce Ellington and Jarryd Hayne seem to have settled in as the primary returners now.

Shaun Draughn missed Cleveland's game with an ailing back. His status will need to be watched as we get closer to the weekend. Justin Gilbert handled kickoff returns with Draughn out.

With Quintin Demps and Cecil Shorts both injured in Week 5, Houston turned to Keith Mumphery to handle both kickoff and punt returns. Houston is a situation that it can be difficult week to week to predict who will see the returns, though their release Tuesday of Chandler Worthy removes one option from the table. Shorts is reportedly rehabbing well though his status for Week 6 will have to be monitored.

The Bears lost a potential backup kick returner to Marc Mariani when Jacquizz Rodgers had to be placed on Injured Reserve.

Roy Helu continued to handle kickoffs for the Raiders while Taiwan Jones missed time with a foot injury. Travis Carrie also missed Oakland's game, with Amari Cooper filling in for him on punt returns. With a bye this week, both starters will have extra time to be ready for Week 7.