Returner Recap and Latest News: Week 5

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 Ravens signed Jeremy Ross, who would be capable of handling both kickoff and punt returns.

Bengals returner Adam Jones has been limited in practice with a groin injury and his status will need to be checked on Sunday.

Taiwan Jones has continued to miss practices for the Raiders while dealing with a foot injury.

Raiders punt returner Travis Carrie is also dealing with an injury this week, a bruised chest that has caused him to miss some practice time. If he is not able to play, Amari Cooper might take on punt returns in his place.

Jacoby Jones still is not practicing for the Chargers. San Diego plays Monday night, so even if Jones were to play we likely would not know in time to do any good for fantasy purposes.

Week 4 Recap

Top Performers

Jarvis Landry handled most of the kickoffs for the Dolphins this week, racking up 5 kick returns for a league-high 122 yards this week. Combined with 3 punt returns for 67 yards - also the league's best in Week 4 - Landry's 189 combined yards completely out distanced the rest of the field. Benny Cunningham of the Rams picked up 121 kick return yards to come in second for the week both in kick returns and overall. Antonio Brown picked up 51 punt yards on 3 punt returns for Pittsburgh, good enough for second best amongst punt returners.

This continues to be an odd season in the return game. Though no return touchdowns were scored this week, there were 9 scored in the first 4 weeks of the season, nearly half as many as were scored each of the previous seasons. Despite touchdowns being scored in droves, the number of kickoff returns per game has experienced a sharp drop. The last two seasons both saw around 2.5 kick returns per team per game. So far in 2015 that average stands at only 1.7, a drop off of nearly one-third.

All Week 4 Returners

Below are all returners for Week 4.

Returners Year to Date

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

Week 4 Outlook

Job Changes

Both returner jobs in Houston are in flux, as Keith Mumphery took over for Quintin Demps on kickoff returns in Week 4 even before Demps was injured in the game. Cecil Shorts continued on punt returns but was injured at the end of the game. The injury to Shorts and one to receiver Nate Washington should keep both from playing in Houston's game Thursday. This means Keith Mumphery will likely be the Texans number 2 receiver and the team may not wish to risk him to injuries on returns with their receivers being so depleted. Chandler Worthy could end up seeing punt returns, and possibly kickoff returns as well if Demps is not active and handling them.

San Francisco had all four of their potential returners available as Reggie Bush and Bruce Ellington returned from injury. Ellington resumed returning kickoffs, but Jarryd Hayne continued to handle punt returns. Though Hayne shows in the box score as having muffed a punt, the fault lies with a teammate who ran into Hayne just before the ball arrived.

Justin Gilbert handled returns for Cleveland this week, and may have done well enough to see more opportunities. The normal returner, Shaun Draughn, was dealing with an injury during the week though was active during the game and saw touches on offense.

Jarvis Landry handled the majority of the kickoff returns this week for Miami. Raheem Mostert was inactive again. Owners of Landry counting on kickoff returns for him should probably check Miami's inactive list for Mostert before each game.

INJURIES OF NOTE

Cowboys kick returner Lance Dunbar is done for the season with a torn ACL. Darren McFadden handled kickoffs after Dunbar's injury though it is not yet clear if he will continue to see them in the future.

Ravens returner Michael Campanaro was placed on Injured Reserve and is done for the year. Steve Smith, another option at punt returner, suffered 4 microfractures in his back. Early in the week coach John Harbaugh said Smith would not play Week 5, but more recent reports list Smith as day-to-day. Lardarius Webb is a likely punt returner, and could also handle kickoffs along with receiver Chris Givens who was acquired in trade from the Rams soon after the injury.

Atlanta's Devin Hester was put on Injured Reserve with a Designation to Return. Eric Weems will continue to handle returns in his absence.

As previously mentioned, Cecil Shorts took over on punt returns for Houston, but dislocated a shoulder and will not be playing in the Texans game Thursday night. Quintin Demps was also injured but Keith Mumphery was already handling kickoff returns.

Taiwan Jones was inactive Week 4 with a foot injury. Running back Roy Helu handled kickoffs for the Raiders in his absence.

Dwayne Harris suffered a rib injury late in the second half of the Giants game against the Bills. Although Harris returned in the 3rd quarter, Shane Vereen handled kickoffs after that while Harris still handled punts.