Returner Recap and Latest News: Week 14

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.

Week 13 Recap

There was a flurry of special teams scoring in Week 13 as Dwayne Harris and Cordarrelle Patterson each scored a touchdown on a kickoff return, while Darren Sproles and Antonio Brown found the end zone while returning punts. Harris led the week with 200 total return yards, enough for the Giants returner to also take over first place for the season from Tyler Lockett of the Seahawks. Cordarrelle Patterson amassed 198 yards all on kickoffs for second best overall and the most on kickoffs this week. Sproles was the top punt returner with 115 total punt return yards.

The addition of the four return touchdowns this week brings the total for the 2015 season to 19, equaling last year's total and one behind the 2013 season. Despite having a quarter of the season left to play, with the number of touchbacks due to kickoffs taking place from the 35-yard-line there is little chance for 2015 to reach truly historic numbers. As recently as 2012 there were 31 return touchdowns scored, with 18 scored on punts and 13 on kickoffs, and in 2010 there were 36 return touchdowns with 23 of them taking place on kickoffs.

All Week 13 Returners

Below are all returners for Week 13.

Returners Year to Date

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

Week 14 Outlook

Job Changes

Two fumbles by Jacoby Jones resulted in him losing the primary returner jobs in Pittsburgh. Antonio Brown is expected to resume handling punts while Markus Wheaton should get a chance at kickoffs. The Steelers have an additional option on kickoffs in Jordan Todman.

The Patriots used Keshawn Martin on kickoff returns though Martin did not make much of the opportunity. Should he continue on as the returner, one of Martin's best qualities for fantasy purposes is that he returns a high percentage of kickoffs, bringing some out of the end zone that other players might take a knee on.

Late in the week, Devin Hester was finally activated from injured reserve. Hester should resume as the primary returner for the Falcons, though Eric Weems has played well in Hester's absence.

The Cardinals used Kerwynn Williams on kickoff returns rather than their normal returner, David Johnson. Johnson has been a top ten kickoff returner this season, so the change was likely prompted by injuries forcing him into an increased role on offense.

The Browns return game has been in flux this year, and Week 13 was no different as a number of injuries to other potential returners led to rookie receiver Darius Jennings being activated from the practice squad. Jennings was used as the kick returner and had 5 returns for 112 yards. The coaching staff had good things to say about how Jennings played, but for the time being his presence may just add more uncertainty to who will hand kickoff returns each game.

Raheem Mostert and Kaelin Clay both saw kick return opportunities for Baltimore, but only Mostert fielded a returnable kick. This may be a time share, or come down to whichever player is active based on other team needs.

INJURIES OF NOTE

Jaguars punt returner Rashad Greene Sr suffered a shoulder injury and his status for Jacksonville's Week 14 game against the Colts has yet to be determined. 

Titans coach Mike Mularkey is hopeful that Dexter McCluster will be able to play after having missed two weeks with a knee injury. Tre McBride handled kickoffs in McCluster's absence, while Perrish Cox handled punts.

De'Anthony Thomas missed a second game due to a concussion. The Chiefs used Frankie Hammond as their punt returner, and though Hammond had a 29-yard return, he also muffed a punt.