While the Tennessee Titans appear to have the kick returner role figured out with running back Darrynton Evans, who fielded nine kickoffs in 2020, the jury is still out on who will return punts.
Last season, only wide receiver Kalif Raymond returned punts, fielding 23 over the course of the campaign. Raymond is now a member of the Detroit Lions, though.
Among their viable options, the Titans don’t have a lot of experience in that area. Evans himself has never returned a punt, either in college or the pros.
Wide receivers Chester Rogers, Cameron Batson and Mason Kinsey, all of whom have been the primary participants at punt returner thus far in camp, are among the most experienced on the roster.
Primary punt returners through three days: Cam Batson, Chester Rogers, Mason Kinsey. #Titans
— Ben Arthur (@benyarthur) July 30, 2021
After practice on Friday, head coach Mike Vrabel revealed that the team is indeed looking at those three for the job.
Vrabel said right now #Titans have three guys vying for punt return job – Mason Kinsey, Chester Rogers, Cam Batson.
— Terry McCormick (@terrymc13) July 30, 2021
Batson returned three punts for the Titans in 2018, but has more experience as a kick returner after fielding 11 kickoffs in 2020. Kinsey, a 2020 UDFA, was a punt returner at Berry College, and Rogers tallied 60 returns over the course of four seasons with the Indianapolis Colts (9.2 yards per return).
Tennessee currently has an interesting situation at wide receiver. The Titans have at least four spots at the position locked-in (Julio Jones, A.J. Brown, Josh Reynolds, Dez Fitzpatrick), and quite possibly five with Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, a special teams ace last season.
The Titans carried six receivers on their initial 53-man roster last year, but with their need for a punt returner, and with wide receiver Marcus Johnson continuing to impress but not having any experience returning punts, it’s possible we could see the team carry a seventh.
Marcus Johnson continues to stand out in camp. Mike Vrabel mentioned him as a guy that took advantage of an opportunity today since A.J. Brown and Julio Jones were out. #Titans
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) July 30, 2021
Kinsey in particular has been an under-the-radar player to watch at training camp thus far, so he’s someone to keep an eye on. Rogers’ overall experience and punt-return prowess gives him a better shot to make the cut.
Chester Rogers has flashed during the first couple of practices for the #Titans. Rogers says he and Ryan Tannehill are building chemistry. He also said the return game is a way that he can make the 53-man roster. pic.twitter.com/wKA8MdNSvG
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) July 30, 2021
For various reasons, the wide receiver position and punt return battle will be situations to monitor as training camp progresses.
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