Returner Recap and Latest News

Week 13 Recap

Top Performers

The Patriots have not done much to make one feel comfortable about starting their individual returners, with LeGarrette Blount receiving most of the returns, but Devin McCourty and Josh Boyce sprinkled in just enough to make one worry. Week 13 turned out to be one of those weeks to worry Blount owners as Josh Boyce not only handled the returns, but amassed the most total return yards for the week in doing so. Boyce had 6 returns for 149 yards playing against Houston.

Knile Davis earned another try at kick returns from the Kansas City staff and made the most of it with the only return score of the week, a 108-yard touchdown. Another unusual name joined Davis and Boyce atop the kick returners as Antonio Cromartie picked up 126 yards on 4 returns for the Jets as he filled in for an injured Josh Cribbs.

Cleveland's new returner Jordan Poyer led the way in what was a mostly meager week for punt returners. Poyer had a league best 49 punt return yards, just ahead of the Detroit's Jeremy Ross who had 46 yards to go with his 70 kick return yards.

All Week 13 Returners

Here are all returners for Week 13 sorted by total return yards:

Top THIRTY to Date

Here are the top thirty returners for the year based on total return yards. 

Week 14 Outlook

Job Changes

David Reed looked like the solution for the Colts at kick returner earlier in the year, but the team released Reed and instead signed Chris Rainey. The former Steeler handled both kickoff and punt returns as the team finally seemed to go away from exposing T.Y. Hilton to extra hits. As a player who is handling both types of returns, Rainey becomes a potential starter in leagues that use a dedicated individual returner position, though this may not be the best week to play him.

The writing was on the wall in Tennessee as Devon Wylie was not doing a very stellar job filling in for the injured Damian Williams. The Titans signed Leon Washington and gave him all of the returns in Week 13. There is a good chance this will continue for another week as Williams is still Questionable.

Knile Davis may not have taken over the kick return job in Kansas City yet, but Quintin Demps should be looking over his shoulder. As previously mentioned, Davis had the week's only return score, a touchdown of 108 yards. The coaching staff had previously lost confidence in Davis because of ball control issues. Expect him to see increased touches, though he might be brought along slowly to show he can hang on to the football.

Josh Morgan had previously lost the kick return job in Washington to Niles Paul. Morgan received the returns again while Paul missed the game with an injury. Santana Moss has begun to receive all of the punt returns, though his receiving yards have been coming at such a slow rate that it will take a generous scoring system for his punt returns to make him a relevant fantasy receiver/returner.

Jacoby Ford has seen the Oakland coaching staff take more returns from him as the season has progressed. Having already lost the kick returns, in Week 13 it was the punts that went to another player. Receiver Greg Jenkins put in a solid performance in place of Ford with a 10.5 yard average on his 4 returns.

Though Darren Sproles seemed to be fully recovered from his injury, the Saints had Travaris Cadet returning kicks in the team's Monday night game in Seattle. Cadet only managed 3 returns for 54 yards, so Sproles may see both type of returns again soon if Cadet does not improve.

INJURIES OF NOTE

Josh Cribbs was unable to stay on a roster in preseason and seemed to lack his usual burst. Faster forward to later in the season and Cribbs seemed on the way to resurrecting his career after being signed by the Jets. Despite only playing a few games, Cribbs quickly moved up to 11th on the kick return yardage leader board. That all came to an end in Week 13 as Cribbs suffered a season ending shoulder injury and was placed on Injured Reserve. Antonio Cromartie had a standout day replacing Cribbs at kick returner, but Jets coach Rex Ryan is reluctant to risk his top cornerback further. The Jets signed Darius Reynaud who should compete with a once again healthy Jeremy Kerley for punt returns, and with Kyle Wilson for kick returns.

Trindon Holliday had to leave Denver's Week 13 game, though his injury is not expected to be series. Andre Caldwell filled in on kick returns while Holliday was out, with Wes Welker handling punt returns.

Percy Harvin had a minor procedure on the hip which has given him problems since Harvin began practicing again. The Seahawk may be able to return soon, though some speculate that with the team already poised favorably for the playoffs, Harvin could be rested until the postseason. Robert Turbin handled returns in Harvin's absence, as Jermaine Kearse was playing offense as the team's third wide receiver.

Week 14 Team Return Projections

Week 14 Player Return Projections