Returner Recap and Latest News: Week 11

Photo: USA Today Sports

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UPDATES

Baltimore waived Jeremy Ross over ball security issues. The Ravens were already using Raheem Mostert on kick returns when Mostert is active, but punt returner is now open. One likely candidate could be Kaelin Clay who was just added to the roster. Clay was drafted by Tampa Bay in part as a return specialist, but failed to make the roster. Lardarius Webb has also been used as a punt returner in the past.

Bryan Walters of the Jaguars is going through the concussion protocol, which is more difficult to make it through with a Thursday game . With Rashad Greene Sr a question mark as to whether he'll return from injured reserve this week, Nick Marshall could be used as a returner if needed.

Week 10 Recap

Top Performers

Danny Amendola of the Patriots led NFL punt returners in Week 10 with 2 returns for 84 yards. Counting his 71 kick return yards Amendola led all returners with 155 total return yards. Taiwan Jones was second overall and had the most kickoff return yards as the Raider handled 6 kickoffs for 145 yards.

After having two kickoff return touchdowns as a rookie in 2013, Cordarrelle Patterson had not found the end zone again on a return until his 93-yard touchdown this week for Minnesota. Patterson currently stands fifth for the year in total return yards, but with only 2 receptions on the season he has not lived up to being a first round selection in the NFL draft.

Ameer Abdullah is another returner struggling to produce on offense for the Lions, but did manage to move into the lead for the year in total return yards. Tyler Lockett's two touchdowns for Seattle are the most by a returner this season, and he managed to hang on to second place in total yards with 5 returns for 104 yards this week.

All Week 10 Returners

Below are all returners for Week 10.

Returners Year to Date

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

Week 11 Outlook

Job Changes

Knile Davis was a healthy inactive for the Chief's Week 10 game. With all of Denver's kickoffs in the game being onside kicks, Davis would not have seen any return work even if he had been active.

Rashad Greene Sr is eligible to return from injured reserve as of this Wednesday. Though coach Gus Bradley said while Greene looked good in practice, that conditioning could be a problem. The Jaguars play on Thursday night.

This week it was Andre Roberts that was left inactive by Washington as DeSean Jackson regains his spot amongst the active receivers. Roberts had been limited in practice with an ankle injury. Rashad Ross resumed his role as kick returner after having been the odd receiver out last week.

The Bills went away from Denarius Moore as their returner, going back to Daniel Herron for kickoff returns and to recently healthy veteran Leodis McKelvin to handle punts.

Marcus Thigpen was released by Oakland to make way for a player coming back from injured reserve. This should put punts squarely back in the hands of Travis Carrie and, should the coaches look for a spark, Amari Cooper.

Saints running back C.J. Spiller handled kickoff returns this week, while Marcus Murphy continued handling punts. 

INJURIES OF NOTE

Julian Edelman suffered a broken bone in his foot and may miss most of the regular season. The Patriots have rarely seemed to worry about risking key starters as returners, having used Edelman on punts when he and Amendola were their only healthy, capable receivers in 2013. It is still possible they could take some returns from Danny Amendola as a result of the injury, particularly on kick returns.

Ty Montgomery's ankle injury caused him to miss another game for the Packers. As with last week, his status will need to be watched closer to game time.

Antonio Cromartie was held out last week with a thigh injury. The Jets started with Kenbrell Thompkins on the opening kickoff before turning to Zac Stacy. Stacy suffered a season-ending injury on his return, after which the Jets gave Devin Smith a chance at a return.