Returner Recap and Latest News: Week 7

Photo: 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 to that page.

UPDATES

Percy Harvin was traded to the New York Jets on Friday. We will have to wait to see if Harvin figures into New York's return game until next week, as the Jets played Thursday night. With Harvin gone, Doug Baldwin and Bryan Walters are likely going to get first crack at kickoff returns. Walters is already the punt returner, but was listed behind Baldwin on the team's official depth chart as backups to Harvin.

I missed mentioning that Oakland's Travis Carrie took over kickoff returns from Latavius Murray. Based on Carrie's performance he has a chance to continue forward with both return jobs. My thanks to Shark Pool poster jonboltz for catching the omission.

Week 6 Recap

Top Performers

The Jets had already turned to Walt Powell to handle punt returns, but also gave the Murray State product an opportunity on kickoffs against the Broncos. The result was a league best 171 return yards fueled by 6 kickoff returns for 153 yards. Percy Harvin picked up 142 kickoff return yards of his own as the Seahawks suffered another rare loss on their home field.

Darren Sproles led punt returners in Week 6 with 4 returns for 57 yards before leaving his game with an injury. Micah Hyde cut into Randall Cobb's punt return opportunities, with 2 returns that totaled 41 yards.

No returners found the end zone in Week 6.

For the season, the extra punt return yards of Solomon Patton, Jarvis Landry, and Devin Hester helped push them past Jordan Todman who has been near the top of the standings all season.

All Week 6 Returners

Here are all returners for Week 6.

Returners Year to Date

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

Week 6 Outlook

Job Changes

Walt Powell was already being tagged by the Jets as their punt returner following the release of Jalen Saunders, but now he appears to be taking over the kick return job as well. Powell had 6 returns and led the league in return yards this week. Saalim Hakim, whom Powell replaced, is a much faster athlete but is still raw at effectively using his blockers on returns.

The Giants went from using both Quintin Demps and Preston Parker on kickoffs last week, to trotting out running back Michael Cox fresh off the practice squad in Week 6. Cox handled 20 kickoff returns last season so the team has familiarity with him in the role. The Giants had previously cut back on use of Quintin Demps as a returner when he was promoted to starting safety. Now that the team has lost receiver Victor Cruz to an injury, one has to wonder whether they may reduce Preston Parker's return time for similar reasons. As if this was not already enough to have to digest, rookie Odell Beckham Jris finally past his injury that has held him out, and was given one punt return opportunity this week, making the situation even more difficult to predict. Beckham's availability could also have the effect of reducing reliance on Parker on offense.

There was some question whether the Chargers would use Branden Oliver on kickoff returns if a Donald Brown injury made the team have to rely on Oliver as their primary running back. The question was answered Week 6 as Brown was inactive and Oliver handled each kickoff, though none were returnable.

Micah Hyde has seen some opportunities both on punts and kickoff returns so far this year. DuJuan Harris continues to be the primary kick returner, but this week saw Hyde cut into the punt returns which had largely gone to Randall Cobb earlier in the season.

INJURIES OF NOTE

Darren Sproles suffered a slight MCL tear in Philadelphia's Week 6 game. The good news is that it should only keep Sproles out for 2-3 weeks, one of which will be the Eagles' bye week. Another injured Eagle, Chris Polk, was inactive giving Josh Huff an opportunity on kickoffs though each resulted in a touchback.