Week 5 Recap
Historical comparisonS
The 2011 and 2012 season averages for each team game for kickoff and punt returns were fairly close. This season started out seeing significantly fewer kickoff returns than in previous years, as well as a slight drop in yards per punt return. Week 5 continued to move the averages a little closer to historical numbers, as it nudged the kick returns per game from 1.9 to 2.0. In punt returns, a number of long returns boosted the season average per return to 8.8.
| Year | KR/game | KR yds/game | KR yds/ret | PR/game | PR yds/game | PR yds/ret |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 2.7 | 63.8 | 23.8 | 2.3 | 22.7 | 9.9 |
| 2012 | 2.7 | 64.2 | 23.6 | 2.2 | 21.6 | 9.7 |
| 2013 | 2.0 | 47.3 | 24.0 | 2.2 | 19.3 | 8.8 |
TOP PERFORMERS
Deonte Thompson continued to handle returns for the Ravens for at least one more week, and managed to accumulate 128 yard on 4 returns. Houston's Keshawn Martin has been more willing than some returners to bring kicks out of the end zone, and in Week 5 that willingness resulted in 120 yards on five returns. Martin was injured and his status needs to be watched this week. Third in kick returns was David Reed, who is fully active for the Colts now after having been injured early in the season. Reed had 4 returns for 107 yards in Week 4, and tops our projections for Week 5 in large part to playing a San Diego team that is struggling to get touchbacks on kickoffs.
In punt return news, Travis Benjamin's 79-yard punt return touchdown for the Cleveland Browns was the only return touchdown of the week, and Benjamin went on to notch 7 punt returns for 179 yards. Jacksonville's Ace Sanders came close to besting that feat but his 88-yard touchdown was negated by a penalty. Tavon Austin of the Rams also put on a strong performance but for penalties that turned what could have been 4 returns for 92 yards into a more forgettable 4 returns for 15 yards.
Job Changes
Jacoby Jones ended up not playing for the Ravens in Week 5. He continues to be limited in practice but expectations are increased for him to return to the lineup this week. As Baltimore may ease Jones back in and split the return duties, it may take a long return or touchdown for any Ravens returner to be a good start this week.
As expected, after releasing Jeremy Ross the Packers returned from bye and utilized a combination of Randall Cobb along with Micah Hyde on punt returns. Johnathan Franklin saw the kick return duties, though one should expect Cobb could be in the mix there as well based on game situation.
The Patriots turned to LaGarrette Blount to fill their need at running back with Stevan Ridley injured. With Blount busy on offense, Devin McCourty handled most of the returns. Leon Washington also received an opportunity but was injured during special teams play. Ridley is back for Week 6, but Blount may continue to figure prominently in the Patriots offensive plans, so he becomes a risky start as a kick returner.
Patrick Peterson owners should not get too excited about seeing he had a kickoff return. The Cardinal's standout punt returner handled the free kick after a safety, which shows in many of the box scores as a kickoff return.
A serious injury to Falcons receiver Julio Jones may have an impact on Harry Douglas handling Atlanta's punt returns. In preseason the team had considered reducing his returns so he could focus on offense. Now that their need for Douglas on offense has increased, it is a good possibility that the Falcons may turn to Dominique Franks to at least join the mix on punt returns.
Marquise Goodwin was close to returning last week for Buffalo. This week expectations are high that he will be worked back into kickoff returns. Marcus Easley had been handling them in Goodwin's absence. Also returning is Leodis McKelvin, who is no longer on the injury report and should see the majority of the punt returns again.
Injuries of Note
Dwayne Harris played for the Cowboys in Week 5, though his injury may have been bothering him as evidenced by Harris giving up playing time as the game progressed. This included some of his return duties. As one of the players who is normally assured all of his team's returns, Harris tends to be a strong option each week, but owners will want to watch his injury status closely this week.
In New York, defending kick return champion David Wilson suffered a neck injury. The Giants turned to Jerrel Jernigan to handle kickoff returns after the injury. Expect a mix of Jernigan and Michael Cox as Wilson has already been ruled inactive for Week 6.
As previously noted, Houston's Keshawn Martin suffered a shoulder injury and left the game. Shiloh Keo is the expected beneficiary, though the team could turn to receiver DeVier Posey as well should Martin not be able to play.
Week 6 Team Return Projections
| Receiving Team | KR yards | KR TDs | PR yards | PR TDs | Total Yards | Total TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indianapolis Colts | 109 | 0.03 | 9 | 0.01 | 117 | 0.04 |
| Buffalo Bills | 69 | 0.02 | 31 | 0.08 | 100 | 0.09 |
| Arizona Cardinals | 67 | 0.02 | 22 | 0.05 | 89 | 0.07 |
| Cleveland Browns | 61 | 0.02 | 25 | 0.05 | 86 | 0.07 |
| Cincinnati Bengals | 53 | 0.01 | 31 | 0.05 | 85 | 0.07 |
| Baltimore Ravens | 64 | 0.02 | 19 | 0.02 | 83 | 0.05 |
| Carolina Panthers | 55 | 0.01 | 20 | 0.05 | 75 | 0.06 |
| Denver Broncos | 36 | 0.02 | 38 | 0.09 | 74 | 0.10 |
| Seattle Seahawks | 38 | 0.01 | 36 | 0.05 | 74 | 0.05 |
| Dallas Cowboys | 51 | 0.01 | 21 | 0.03 | 72 | 0.04 |
| New York Giants | 68 | 0.02 | 2 | 0.00 | 71 | 0.02 |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 61 | 0.02 | 9 | 0.01 | 70 | 0.03 |
| Jacksonville Jaguars | 58 | 0.01 | 12 | 0.02 | 70 | 0.03 |
| Oakland Raiders | 49 | 0.01 | 20 | 0.03 | 69 | 0.04 |
| Detroit Lions | 47 | 0.01 | 22 | 0.03 | 69 | 0.04 |
| New England Patriots | 38 | 0.01 | 27 | 0.04 | 64 | 0.05 |
| San Diego Chargers | 55 | 0.01 | 9 | 0.01 | 64 | 0.03 |
| Washington Redskins | 46 | 0.01 | 17 | 0.02 | 62 | 0.03 |
| St. Louis Rams | 48 | 0.01 | 14 | 0.03 | 62 | 0.05 |
| San Francisco 49ers | 39 | 0.01 | 22 | 0.03 | 61 | 0.04 |
| Tennessee Titans | 45 | 0.01 | 14 | 0.02 | 59 | 0.03 |
| Kansas City Chiefs | 31 | 0.01 | 24 | 0.06 | 54 | 0.06 |
| Houston Texans | 25 | 0.01 | 28 | 0.03 | 53 | 0.04 |
| Chicago Bears | 29 | 0.01 | 17 | 0.04 | 46 | 0.05 |
| Green Bay Packers | 26 | 0.01 | 17 | 0.02 | 42 | 0.03 |
| Philadelphia Eagles | 29 | 0.01 | 13 | 0.02 | 42 | 0.03 |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 26 | 0.01 | 14 | 0.02 | 40 | 0.02 |
| Minnesota Vikings | 13 | 0.00 | 21 | 0.03 | 34 | 0.03 |
| New Orleans Saints | 18 | 0.00 | 9 | 0.01 | 26 | 0.02 |
| New York Jets | 9 | 0.00 | 4 | 0.00 | 12 | 0.01 |
Week 6 Player Return Projections
| Player | Team | Position | KR yards | KR TDs | PR yards | PR TDs | Total Ret Yards | Total TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| David Reed | Indianapolis Colts | WR | 88 | 0.02 | 0 | 0.00 | 88 | 0.02 |
| Ted Ginn Jr | Carolina Panthers | WR | 50 | 0.01 | 18 | 0.04 | 67 | 0.06 |
| Trindon Holliday | Denver Broncos | WR | 33 | 0.02 | 31 | 0.08 | 64 | 0.09 |
| Micheal Spurlock | Detroit Lions | WR | 42 | 0.01 | 19 | 0.02 | 62 | 0.03 |
| Brandon Tate | Cincinnati Bengals | WR | 40 | 0.01 | 19 | 0.02 | 60 | 0.03 |
| Dwayne Harris | Dallas Cowboys | WR | 37 | 0.01 | 18 | 0.02 | 56 | 0.03 |
| Javier Arenas | Arizona Cardinals | DB | 53 | 0.01 | 2 | 0.00 | 55 | 0.02 |
| Jacoby Ford | Oakland Raiders | WR | 44 | 0.01 | 10 | 0.01 | 54 | 0.02 |
| Darius Reynaud | Tennessee Titans | RB | 40 | 0.01 | 12 | 0.02 | 53 | 0.03 |
| Chris Thompson | Washington Redskins | RB | 37 | 0.01 | 15 | 0.02 | 52 | 0.03 |
| Jeff Demps | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | RB | 49 | 0.01 | 1 | 0.00 | 50 | 0.01 |
| Jerrel Jernigan | New York Giants | WR | 48 | 0.01 | 1 | 0.00 | 49 | 0.01 |
| Rueben Randle | New York Giants | WR | 48 | 0.01 | 1 | 0.00 | 49 | 0.01 |
| Clyde Gates | New York Jets | WR | 48 | 0.01 | 1 | 0.00 | 49 | 0.01 |
| Jeremy Kerley | New York Jets | WR | 48 | 0.01 | 1 | 0.00 | 49 | 0.01 |
| Danny Woodhead | San Diego Chargers | WR | 44 | 0.01 | 0 | 0.00 | 44 | 0.01 |
| Jacoby Jones | Baltimore Ravens | WR | 34 | 0.02 | 10 | 0.01 | 43 | 0.03 |
| Benny Cunningham | St. Louis Rams | RB | 43 | 0.01 | 0 | 0.00 | 43 | 0.01 |
| Greg Little | Cleveland Browns | WR | 43 | 0.01 | 0 | 0.00 | 43 | 0.01 |
| Devin Hester | Chicago Bears | DB | 26 | 0.01 | 15 | 0.04 | 42 | 0.05 |
| Damaris Johnson | Philadelphia Eagles | WR | 26 | 0.01 | 11 | 0.01 | 37 | 0.02 |
| Golden Tate | Seattle Seahawks | WR | 4 | 0.00 | 32 | 0.04 | 36 | 0.04 |
| LaMichael James | San Francisco 49ers | RB | 32 | 0.01 | 2 | 0.00 | 34 | 0.01 |
| Jermaine Kearse | Seattle Seahawks | WR | 34 | 0.01 | 0 | 0.00 | 34 | 0.01 |
| Keshawn Martin | Houston Texans | WR | 15 | 0.00 | 18 | 0.02 | 33 | 0.03 |
| Marcus Easley | Buffalo Bills | WR | 31 | 0.01 | 0 | 0.00 | 31 | 0.01 |
| Marquise Goodwin | Buffalo Bills | WR | 31 | 0.01 | 0 | 0.00 | 31 | 0.01 |
| Deonte Thompson | Baltimore Ravens | WR | 31 | 0.01 | 0 | 0.00 | 31 | 0.01 |
| Leodis McKelvin | Buffalo Bills | DB | 0 | 0.00 | 29 | 0.07 | 29 | 0.07 |
| Quintin Demps | Kansas City Chiefs | DB | 24 | 0.01 | 2 | 0.00 | 27 | 0.01 |
| Julian Edelman | New England Patriots | WR | 4 | 0.00 | 23 | 0.03 | 27 | 0.03 |
| Adam Jones | Cincinnati Bengals | DB | 13 | 0.00 | 12 | 0.03 | 25 | 0.03 |
| Dexter McCluster | Kansas City Chiefs | WR | 3 | 0.00 | 22 | 0.05 | 25 | 0.05 |
| Darren Sproles | New Orleans Saints | RB | 16 | 0.00 | 8 | 0.01 | 24 | 0.01 |
| Travis Benjamin | Cleveland Browns | WR | 6 | 0.00 | 17 | 0.04 | 24 | 0.05 |
| Kyle Williams | San Francisco 49ers | WR | 4 | 0.00 | 19 | 0.02 | 23 | 0.03 |
| Stephen Burton | Jacksonville Jaguars | WR | 23 | 0.01 | 0 | 0.00 | 23 | 0.01 |
| Devin McCourty | New England Patriots | WR | 22 | 0.01 | 0 | 0.00 | 22 | 0.01 |
| Felix Jones | Pittsburgh Steelers | RB | 22 | 0.01 | 0 | 0.00 | 22 | 0.01 |
| Michael Cox | New York Giants | RB | 21 | 0.01 | 0 | 0.00 | 21 | 0.01 |
| Eric Page | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | WR | 12 | 0.00 | 8 | 0.01 | 20 | 0.01 |
| Marcus Sherels | Minnesota Vikings | DB | 1 | 0.00 | 19 | 0.02 | 20 | 0.02 |
| Randall Cobb | Green Bay Packers | WR | 13 | 0.00 | 7 | 0.01 | 20 | 0.01 |
| Patrick Peterson | Arizona Cardinals | DB | 0 | 0.00 | 20 | 0.05 | 20 | 0.05 |
| Eddie Royal | San Diego Chargers | WR | 11 | 0.00 | 7 | 0.01 | 18 | 0.01 |
| Shiloh Keo | Houston Texans | DB | 10 | 0.00 | 8 | 0.01 | 18 | 0.01 |
| Tavon Austin | St. Louis Rams | WR | 5 | 0.00 | 13 | 0.03 | 17 | 0.03 |
| Denard Robinson | Jacksonville Jaguars | RB | 17 | 0.00 | 0 | 0.00 | 17 | 0.00 |
| Jordan Todman | Jacksonville Jaguars | RB | 17 | 0.00 | 0 | 0.00 | 17 | 0.00 |
| Antonio Brown | Pittsburgh Steelers | WR | 3 | 0.00 | 12 | 0.02 | 15 | 0.02 |
| Micah Hyde | Green Bay Packers | CB | 13 | 0.00 | 2 | 0.00 | 14 | 0.01 |
| Lance Dunbar | Dallas Cowboys | RB | 13 | 0.00 | 0 | 0.00 | 13 | 0.00 |
| Kyle Wilson | New York Jets | DB | 9 | 0.00 | 4 | 0.00 | 12 | 0.01 |
| Bobby Rainey | Cleveland Browns | RB | 12 | 0.00 | 0 | 0.00 | 12 | 0.00 |
| Cordarrelle Patterson | Minnesota Vikings | WR | 12 | 0.00 | 0 | 0.00 | 12 | 0.00 |
| Kerwynn Williams | Indianapolis Colts | RB | 11 | 0.00 | 0 | 0.00 | 11 | 0.00 |
| Cassius Vaughn | Indianapolis Colts | DB | 10 | 0.00 | 0 | 0.00 | 10 | 0.00 |
| Phillip Adams | Oakland Raiders | DB | 0 | 0.00 | 10 | 0.01 | 10 | 0.01 |
| Ace Sanders | Jacksonville Jaguars | WR | 0 | 0.00 | 10 | 0.01 | 10 | 0.01 |
| Tandon Doss | Baltimore Ravens | WR | 0 | 0.00 | 10 | 0.01 | 10 | 0.01 |
| Johnathan Franklin | Green Bay Packers | RB | 0 | 0.00 | 8 | 0.01 | 8 | 0.01 |
| Leon Washington | New England Patriots | RB | 4 | 0.00 | 4 | 0.01 | 8 | 0.01 |
| Wes Welker | Denver Broncos | WR | 0 | 0.00 | 8 | 0.01 | 8 | 0.01 |
| Davone Bess | Cleveland Browns | WR | 0 | 0.00 | 7 | 0.01 | 7 | 0.01 |
| LeGarrette Blount | New England Patriots | RB | 7 | 0.00 | 0 | 0.00 | 7 | 0.00 |
| T.Y. Hilton | Indianapolis Colts | WR | 0 | 0.00 | 7 | 0.01 | 7 | 0.01 |
| Andre Ellington | Arizona Cardinals | RB | 7 | 0.00 | 0 | 0.00 | 7 | 0.00 |
| Alfonso Smith | Arizona Cardinals | RB | 7 | 0.00 | 0 | 0.00 | 7 | 0.00 |
| T.J. Graham | Buffalo Bills | WR | 7 | 0.00 | 0 | 0.00 | 7 | 0.00 |
| Michael Preston | Tennessee Titans | WR | 5 | 0.00 | 1 | 0.00 | 6 | 0.00 |
| Kenjon Barner | Carolina Panthers | RB | 6 | 0.00 | 0 | 0.00 | 6 | 0.00 |
| Mike Jenkins | Oakland Raiders | DB | 5 | 0.00 | 0 | 0.00 | 5 | 0.00 |
| Josh Morgan | Washington Redskins | WR | 5 | 0.00 | 0 | 0.00 | 5 | 0.00 |
| Patrick Edwards | Detroit Lions | WR | 2 | 0.00 | 2 | 0.00 | 5 | 0.00 |
| Niles Paul | Washington Redskins | TE | 4 | 0.00 | 0 | 0.00 | 4 | 0.00 |
| Walter Thurmond | Seattle Seahawks | DB | 0 | 0.00 | 4 | 0.00 | 4 | 0.00 |
| Perrish Cox | San Francisco 49ers | DB | 4 | 0.00 | 0 | 0.00 | 4 | 0.00 |
| Cole Beasley | Dallas Cowboys | WR | 0 | 0.00 | 3 | 0.00 | 3 | 0.00 |
| Omar Bolden | Denver Broncos | DB | 3 | 0.00 | 0 | 0.00 | 3 | 0.00 |
| Knile Davis | Kansas City Chiefs | RB | 3 | 0.00 | 0 | 0.00 | 3 | 0.00 |
| Emmanuel Sanders | Pittsburgh Steelers | WR | 1 | 0.00 | 2 | 0.00 | 3 | 0.00 |
| Brandon Boykin | Philadelphia Eagles | DB | 3 | 0.00 | 0 | 0.00 | 3 | 0.00 |
| Travaris Cadet | New Orleans Saints | RB | 2 | 0.00 | 1 | 0.00 | 3 | 0.00 |
| Danieal Manning | Houston Texans | DB | 0 | 0.00 | 3 | 0.00 | 3 | 0.00 |
| DeSean Jackson | Philadelphia Eagles | WR | 0 | 0.00 | 2 | 0.01 | 2 | 0.01 |
| Eric Weems | Chicago Bears | DB | 2 | 0.00 | 0 | 0.00 | 2 | 0.00 |
| William Blackmon | Jacksonville Jaguars | DB | 0 | 0.00 | 2 | 0.00 | 2 | 0.00 |
| Joique Bell | Detroit Lions | RB | 2 | 0.00 | 0 | 0.00 | 2 | 0.00 |
| Keenan Allen | San Diego Chargers | WR | 0 | 0.00 | 2 | 0.00 | 2 | 0.00 |
| Jarius Wright | Minnesota Vikings | WR | 0 | 0.00 | 2 | 0.00 | 2 | 0.00 |
| Armanti Edwards | Carolina Panthers | WR | 0 | 0.00 | 2 | 0.00 | 2 | 0.00 |
| Earl Bennett | Chicago Bears | WR | 0 | 0.00 | 2 | 0.00 | 2 | 0.00 |
| Jim Leonhard | Buffalo Bills | DB | 0 | 0.00 | 2 | 0.00 | 2 | 0.00 |
| Santana Moss | Washington Redskins | WR | 0 | 0.00 | 2 | 0.00 | 2 | 0.00 |
| Austin Pettis | St. Louis Rams | WR | 0 | 0.00 | 1 | 0.00 | 1 | 0.00 |
| LaVon Brazill | Indianapolis Colts | WR | 0 | 0.00 | 1 | 0.00 | 1 | 0.00 |
| Jayron Hosley | New York Giants | DB | 0 | 0.00 | 1 | 0.00 | 1 | 0.00 |