Mississippi State had just scored a touchdown in the third quarter and was kicking off. Iowa return man Ihmir Smith-Marsette took off from inside the five-yard line and appeared to have a decent return on his hands.Then, disaster.Smith-Marsette got absolutely catapulted as he tried to hurdle over a defender. He did a full flip while flying through the air. … [Read more...] about Watch: Iowa loses fumble as return man gets catapulted, flips on huge hit
Espn arcade return man 2
Rams cut return man Pharoh Cooper
Getty Images Last year, Pharoh Cooper was an All-Pro return man. This year, Cooper is out of work. The Rams announced today that they have cut Cooper, whose kickoff return and punt return averages have both declined this season as he’s missed most of the year with an ankle injury. When Cooper hasn’t been playing, the Rams have used JoJo Natson to return punts and Blake Countess to return kickoffs, and they will presumably continue in those rules. Cooper will now go on waivers, where it wouldn’t be surprising to see another team pick him up. The Rams haven’t announced a player they’ve acquired to replace Cooper. … [Read more...] about Rams cut return man Pharoh Cooper
Jaguars return man Jaydon Mickens to miss four to six weeks after fracturing ankle
Jaguars return man Jaydon Mickens is expected to miss four to six weeks after fracturing his ankle against the Cowboys on Sunday, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). Mickens, who entered the league as an undrafted free agent in 2016, joined Jacksonville’s practice squad last September but ultimately spent 10 games on the club’s active roster. While he wasn’t much of an offensive contributor (six receptions, 77 yards), Mickens was the Jaguars’ primary punt returner, as he averaged 10.6 yards per return and scored one touchdown. This year, Mickens had also led Jacksonville in kick returns with six.Receiver Dede Westbrook took over as the Jaguars’ punt returner after Mickens went down, while fellow pass-catcher D.J. Chark was in the end zone for kickoffs (although Cowboys kicker Brett Maher posted only touchbacks following Mickens’ injury). Backup running back Corey Grant has historically contributed in the return game, but … [Read more...] about Jaguars return man Jaydon Mickens to miss four to six weeks after fracturing ankle
Raiders’ primary return man Dwayne Harris inactive against Broncos
By Matt Kawahara Published 12:12 pm PDT, Sunday, September 16, 2018 Wide receiver and returner Dwayne Harris, who was limited in practice all week with a foot injury, is inactive for the Raiders today against the Broncos. Harris is the primary kick and punt returner. The player listed as the backup at both spots - cornerback Nick Nelson - is also inactive. Running back Jalen Richard handled punt return duties last season and is a potential replacement on both kick and punt returns. The Raiders will also need two new gunners on punt coverage: Harris and Keon Hatcher, who was cut to create a roster spot for Martavis Bryant, handled that job in Week 1. Defensive end Fadol Brown is also inactive, while Tank Carradine is active after sitting out the opener. The full Raiders inactives list: DE Fadol Brown Oakland Raiders wide receiver Keon Hatcher (14) is tackled by Green Bay Packers safety Josh Jones (27) and linebacker Ahmad Thomas, rear, during the first half of an … [Read more...] about Raiders’ primary return man Dwayne Harris inactive against Broncos
Will Adam “Pacman” Jones win Broncos’ return-man battle? “I’m still playing at a high level.”
In the early stages of his NFL career, long before off-field transgressions altered the narrative, the reputation of newly acquired Broncos cornerback Adam Jones inspired a specific kind of opponent fear. Punt to Pacman at your own risk. But what makes Jones think he can be a dynamic return man at age 34? “Because I’ve been a dynamic returner my whole career,” Jones said Thursday following the Broncos’ 21-10 preseason victory at Arizona. “I just believe in my first two steps.” Check the tape. 2005: A 57-yard run-back to the end zone against Houston. 2006: Three punt return touchdowns — 53 yards against Houston, 90 yards at Philadelphia and 81 yards against New England. 2012: A run-and-score from 81-yards out against Cleveland. That production put Jones in a third-place tie among all active players for career punt/kick return touchdowns (five). Just behind Ted Ginn Jr. (seven) and Darren Sproles (nine). “He is a special returner,” … [Read more...] about Will Adam “Pacman” Jones win Broncos’ return-man battle? “I’m still playing at a high level.”