Returner Recap and Latest News: Week 10

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 there.

UPDATES

Jets kickoff returner Antonio Cromartie is listed as Doubtful for his Thursday game. Zac Stacy had handled kickoffs prior to Cromartie and may get the call if Cromartie cannot play.

Dexter McCluster missed Titan's practice with an ankle injury and is listed as Questionable. His status should be checked closer to the game. Antonio Andrews could be used on kickoffs if McCluster cannot play, or the Titans could go back to Bishop Sankey.

Vikings punt returner Marcus Sherels is listed as Questionable for Week 10. Stefon Diggs could see some returns if Sherels is out.

Week 9 Recap

Top Performers

The value of returners who handle both kickoff and punt returns showed this week as 10 of the top 11 returners for the week handled both types of returns. Amongst them was Broncos returner Omar Bolden, who does not normally handle punt returns but was given an opportunity which resulted in the league's only return touchdown this week.

Eric Weems led the week with 191 total return yards as he fills in for Devin Hester in Atlanta. Bolden was second with 152 yards, while Nick Marshall of the Jaguars picked up 137.

Dwayne Harris has quietly been moving up the rankings for the season and took over the lead for total return yards. The Giants still have a bye coming Week 11, which will give Bobby Rainey and Tyler Lockett a chance to regain the lead.

Touchback percentage is a driving factor in kick return yards, and the Colts, Cowboys, and Ravens are all teams to avoid thanks to the strong legs of their kickers. All three teams get touchbacks on over 80% of their kickoffs, with the Ravens leading the league with a phenomenal 91%.

All Week 9 Returners

Below are all returners for Week 9.

Returners Year to Date

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

Week 10 Outlook

Job Changes

With DeSean Jackson returning from injury, Washington chose another receiver to leave inactive, and that receiver was kick returner Rashad Ross. With Ross out, Andre Roberts and Chris Thompson saw returns. This could be a situation which changes from one week to the next.

The Browns used Marlon Moore on a kick return after Justin Gilbert was pinned short on a return and fumbled, though the fumble was eventually ruled down by contact. Moore handled some returns last year for Cleveland and either player could be possibilities as returner going forward.

The Bills left Dan Herron inactive and turned back to Denarius Moore to handle kickoff returns. This may have become another of the frustrating situations where a team's inactive list is going to drive who handles the return any given week.

Now that Chris Owusu is on injured reserve, the Jets used Antonio Cromartie on kick returns rather than turning back to Zac Stacy. Cromartie had a return of 54 yards, but left the game with an injury, so his status should be checked going into the next game.

Jacoby Jones handling kick returns for the Steelers was expected, but Jones also split time at punt returner with Antonio Brown. Neither player had an effective return in the game.

Newly signed receiver Marcus Thigpen did indeed replace Travis Carrie on punt returns for Oakland as was previously speculated. Taiwan Jones continued to handle the bulk of the kick returns.

Lucky Whitehead handled punt returns for the Cowboys in their Week 9 game. He had already been handling kickoffs, but Cole Beasley was handling the bulk of the punts previously.

After having used T.Y. Hilton to try to get a spark on punt returns last week, this week the Colts turned to Quan Bray for both punt and kick returns. Bray only managed 2 yards on his 3 punt returns. 

INJURIES OF NOTE

Micah Hyde handled kickoff returns for Green Bay while Ty Montgomery was out with an ankle injury. Montgomery's status will need to be watched going into Week 10. 

Emmanuel Sanders played Week 9 though had been dealing with an injury coming into the game. This likely led to Omar Bolden getting chances on punt returns, including the one he took the distance for a touchdown. Whether Sanders will resume as the primary returner will remain to be seen.