Photo: Brian Spurlock, USA Today Sports

Friday Updates

• David Reed is likely out for the Colts. Cassius Vaughn is most likely to return kickoffs again.
• Deonte Thompson is dobutful for the Ravens, and Bernard Pierce was questionable though looks likely to play now. If they cannot go or are limited, the team may have to turn to Shaun Draughn for kickoff returns, and Tandon Doss to back up Lardarius Webb on punts.

Where Did All The KICK Returns Go?

Entering the first week of the NFL season, the biggest questions had been about a handful of teams whose plans for their returners were still unclear. Those questions were largely answered, but an entirely new set of questions was raised by the severe drop off in the number of kickoff returns in Week 1. Since the NFL moved kickoffs up to the 35-yard line two years ago, teams have each returned around 2.7 kickoffs per game. In week 1 of the 2013 season, teams averaged barely over half as many with 1.4 kickoffs each.

The drop in kick returns could be an outlier that is unlikely to repeat, though it also may be a sign of NFL teams placing more of a premium on kickers with leg strength that can eliminate returns. Week 1 projections were made using each kicker's touchback percentage from either the 2012 season, or for the preseason for those kickers who are in their first season as kickoff specialists. This week, a weighted average is being used that favors Week 1. If this turns into a continuing trend the projections will quickly account for it.

Punt returns occurred at the normal rate of 2.3 per team. If touchbacks continue on kickoffs at the current rate, we may see a shift in value towards the punt returners. The top punt returner tends to accumulate around 500 return yards, which would be enough to compete with a top ten kick returner in most seasons.

Other Questions Answered

Other lingering questions were answered by Week 1, such as whether fantasy significant players like Randall Cobb would see returns. Cobb and Jeremy Ross split returns for the Packers, with Cobb receiving 4 of the team's 12 returns, including 3 punts. Other team situations became clearer as Cleveland went with Bobby Rainey for the majority of their kickoff returns, while the Rams used Tavon Austin on all punts and Benny Cunningham on all kick returns.

Like the Rams, most teams stuck with the same player for the majority of each type of return unless injury struck. The Bengals were an exception, with Brandon Tate and Adam Jones splitting punt returns, as were the Packers and the aforementioned duo of Cobb and Ross. Wes Welker also received 3 of the 9 punts to the Broncos.

A number of significant injuries required teams to make changes in game.  Some of the more impactful include:

• Baltimore's Jacoby Jones was run into by his own teammate and will miss 4-6 weeks. Lardarius Webb took over punt returns and Bernard Pierce handled kickoffs.
• Marquise Goodwin of the Bills injured his hand and will miss time, with T.J. Graham likely locking down the job by himself in Goodwin's absence.
• Jeremy Kerley of the Jets suffered a concussion and was replaced by Kyle Wilson. The team plays the Patriots on Thursday Night, and Kerley is not expected to play.
• LaRod Stephens-Howling time with Pittsburgh was short-lived, as he suffered and injury and was put on season-ending Injured Reserve. The Steelers were using Stephens-Howling on kick returns, though after his injury Markus Wheaton and Antonio Brown each were used to return kickoffs rather than Felix Jones.

A select group of players received all of the punt and kick returns for a team.  The list includes:

• Ted Ginn of the Panthers
• Devin Hester of the Bears
• Keyshawn Martin of the Texans
• Michael Spurlock of the Lions
• Marcus Thigpen of the Dolphins
• Darren Sproles of the Saints
• Darius Reynaud of the Titans
• Eric Page of the Buccaneers.

A break down of the complete returner usage for each team is included at the bottom of the article. That table shows the player that was intended to be the returner regardless of how the play went. A box score will not show fair catches or touchbacks, and may show a return by an up back who grabs a squib kickoff, or a blocker who was hit by a bouncing punt such as a box score would show. The information provided below reflects the team's intended returner had the play gone normally.

Best of luck to everyone in Week 2.

Week 2 Projections

 By Team:

By Player:

Week 1 Returner Usage

Reflects how many times the team sent the player out to be the returner, even if no return took place, or it was returned by another player such as a squib kick handled by one of the blockers.