Returner Recap and Latest News

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Updates

Jeff Demps season in Tampa Bay has ended as he was placed on Injured Reserve.

Darren Sproles was just as fast going through the NFL concussion protocol as he is cutting through a hole in the defense. The Saints running back is already practicing again.

Week 9 Recap

Top Performers

No return touchdowns were scored Week 9.

Josh Cribbs continued his comeback by leading the Week 9 returners in total return yards as Cribbs had 5 kickoff returns for 134 yards for the New York Jets. Lavelle Hawkins has watched Chargers opponents return many kickoffs thanks to his team's low touchback percentage. Hawkins exacted a measure of revenge as his 5 kickoff returns for 114 yards were second best for the week, a yard ahead of Devin Hester's 113 combined yards.

Seattle's Golden Tate led the way for punt returners with 3 returns for 92 yards. In Baltimore, Tandon Doss continued to hold the punt returner job with 4 punt returns for 71 yards.

All Week 9 Returners

Here are the top returners for Week 9 sorted by total return yards:

Top THIRTY to Date

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

Job Changes

The Green Bay Packers let Micah Hyde try to build on his Week 8 success as a punt returner by also giving him kickoffs in Week 9.  Hyde ran back two kickoffs for 50 yards, likely good enough to earn another week handling both types of returns.

Cleveland was using Davone Bess on punt returns that were likely to be pinned deep and result in a fair catch, while the less sure handed but more explosive Travis Benjamin handled the rest. With Benjamin out for the season, the team used receiver Armanti Edward in Benjamin's role.

Fears that the increased role on offense for T.Y. Hilton might lead the Colts to turn to someone else on punt returns were alleviated by the coaching staff. Indianapolis plans to stick with Hilton as the speedy receiver tries to fill the shoes of Reggie Wayne.

Houston re-signed running back Dennis Johnson primarily to serve as the third running back with Arian Foster and Ben Tate banged up, and Cierre Wood released by the team. Johnson was given opportunities in preseason as a returner, but ball control issues led to his release. Now that he is back, Keshawn Martin may need to be watching over his shoulder. Martin has himself had a number of fumbles on returns, and Johnson was given an opportunity to return a kick after one such fumble by Martin in their Week 9 game.

INJURIES OF NOTE

Darren Sproles left the game in Week 9 with a concussion, so his progress through the NFL's concussion protocol will need to be watched closely to see if he can return in time for Week 10.

Marquise Goodwin had only recently returned from a hand injury before straining a hamstring in Buffalo's game this week. If he is not practicing fully by the end of the week, he will be a risky play.

David Wilson's MRI showed "significant improvement", but last season's league leader in kickoff return yards has not yet been cleared to resume football with the Giants.

The Jets have Josh Cribbs to handle returns now, which is fortunate as backup Jeremy Kerley injured an elbow and might miss a few weeks.

Benny Cunningham is back from injury, but was eased back into the game by St. Louis in Week 9. He may take back over kick returns from Tavon Austin, or the team may stick with Austin in an attempt to get the ball in Austin's hands more. So far Austin, who was expected to be a weapon and playmaker for the Rams, has been kept in check both on offense and as a returner.

Week 10 Team Return Projections

Week 10 Player Return Projections