Returner Recap and Latest News: Week 2

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

The Texans traded receiver Keshawn Martin to the Patriots. With a shortage of healthy receivers, the Patriots may be looking for another option to limit wear and tear to Julian Edelman and Danny Amendola on returns.

The Texans also signed receiver Chandler Worthy, who is a return option for them if he is on the active list come game day.

Jacoby Jones has been downgraded to Doubtful for the Chargers.

Falcons returner Devin Hester has been ruled out for Week 2.

C.J. Spiller is listed as Questionable but there are media reports the Saints running back will likely play on a limited basis.

Bruce Ellington was a late in the week addition to the injury report and is Questionable, which could give Jarryd Hayne and DeAndrew White opportunities on punt and kick returns for San Francisco

The Lions have upgraded Golden Tate to Probable.

Rashad Greene Sr has been upgraded to Probable in Jacksonville.

Week 1 Recap

Top Performers

Seahawks rookie Tyler Lockett lit up preseason with a pair of punt return touchdowns, and judging from his Week 1 performance, he does not plan to let up. On top of leading the league with 119 total return yards, Lockett joined Tavon Austin and Jarvis Landry in scoring punt return touchdowns this week. 

The kickoff returners were also led by a pair of rookies, with Packer Ty Montgomery returning 3 kicks for 106 yards, slightly better than running back Ameer Abdullah who picked up 105 yards on his 3 returns.  The lead for punt return yardage was a tie between De'Anthony Thomas of the Chiefs and Tavon Austin of the Rams, who both picked up 81 yards, though Austin accomplished it in only 2 returns while Thomas required 5.

All Week 1 Returners

Below are all returners for Week 1.

Returners Year to Date

Next week this will show the top 40 returners for the year based on total return yards.

Week 2 Outlook

Job Changes

With Reggie Bush out with an injury and former Australian rugby player Jarryd Hayne muffing his first punt return, Bruce Ellington saw the majority of punt and kick returns for the 49ers. Last season Ellington was willing to bring out kickoffs from deep in the end zone, a trait that helps pad return yards. If he can hold onto the job he could add fantasy value to San Francisco's return unit.

Colts punt returner Phillip Dorsett may find himself on a short leash after he muffed two punts, losing one to the Bills. Griff Whalen had already handled the first punt of the game, and returned to the field after Dorsett's second miscue. Meanwhile, Tyler Varga split time with Donte Moncrief on kickoff returns for Indianapolis.

The Lions left receiver T.J. Jones inactive, and instead used rookie running back Ameer Abdullah on kickoff returns. Abdullah is likely to continue to see return opportunities while the coaching staff work on the best ways to give the talented runner more touches. With Jones out, Golden Tate handled punts for Detroit.

Jarvis Landry is back on returns after LaMichael James fumbling a kickoff return was enough for the Dolphins. James was released after the game, giving Landry a clear path to hang onto returns for the time being. With Landry's importance on offense, Miami might like to limit the hits he takes on returns, so keep an eye out should another returner be signed.

In Washington, Andre Roberts served as the backup to Chris Thompson on kickoff returns and to Jamison Crowder on punt returns. Crowder was injured for much of training camp, but appears to have taken over the punt return job now that he is healthy.

Baltimore turned to veteran wide receiver Steve Smith to handle the punt returns. Mike Campanaro, another candidate to handle them, remained the primary kickoff returner.

Tampa Bay was one of several teams who did not give returns to the top player listed on their depth chart. Running back Bobby Rainey handled both punt and kickoff returns, though he is listed as a backup to receiver Adam Humphries.

Tennessee used Bishop Sankey on kickoff returns though he managed only 1 return for 17 yards.

With C.J. Spiller out, rookie Marcus Murphy had a chance to make a claim to both return jobs for New Orleans after having played well in preseason. Deep kicks, however, robbed Murphy of his chance on kickoffs, and his lone returned punt netted only 2 yards.

Injuries pressed Benny Cunningham into service as the Rams starting running back, so the team turned to Isaiah Pead to handle kickoff returns. When the running backs ahead of Cunningham return to action he may end up back on special teams.

Marcus Thigpen was already the primary punt returner for the Bills. This week he also handled kickoff returns ahead of Percy Harvin. Whether head coach Rex Ryan will pick and choose when to use Harvin based on the game situation, or if this was a temporary situation, remains to be seen.

Shaun Draughn handled all of the kickoff returns for Cleveland this week. The Browns kick return job was one of the more difficult ones to predict from week to week last season, and that trend may continue with the same cast still on the roster.

INJURIES OF NOTE

C.J. Spiller's knee injury kept him out of the Saints first game. There is a chance that he may return for Week 2, but his status will need to be watched.

Reggie Bush strained a calf during the 49ers opening game, and is considered week-to-week.

Rashad Greene Sr was cleared of a concussion, but the Jaguar also suffered a back contusion that should be watched going into Week 2.

Devin Hester missed the Falcons first game of the season with a toe injury. There is a chance he may be able to return for Atlanta's game against the Giants.

The earlier report that Omar Bolden was practicing again for Denver was erroneous. Bolden is dealing with a foot injury and early in the week is listed as Doubtful.

Elite returner Jacoby Jones left the Chargers first game with an ankle injury and did not return. His status for Week 2 bears watching.

Golden Tate is being rested from a quad injury by Detroit.