The Kansas City Chiefs on special teams have seen a variety of options on punt returns this season. The role has been passed to several players as the unit continues to evaluate following Monday night’s loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Chiefs special teams coordinator Dave Toub has juggled multiple players, including an unexpected change in Week 11 due to Mecole Hardman’s injury. Kadarius Toney stepped into the role during the game, providing positive yardage, but it doesn’t appear clear it will remain his role. Toub addressed the change and his suggestion for the role in his Zoom press conference with reporters on Tuesday.
“We haven’t even gotten a report yet from our trainers; it’s so early,” Toub explained. “So we have to see how Mecole (Hardman) is. We have to see Kadarius (Toney). He runs so hard and tough that he kept getting banged up in there, too, like his hand got hurt and his foot, you know, all different things.
“We just have to wait, see, we’ll get the doctor’s report. We’ll move forward from there. But yeah, I mean, he gave us a little bit of a spark. He runs hard. You know, he’s a good catcher. He’s fearless back there. So, we’ll just have to evaluate as we go forward.”
A player expected to play that role when he signed in the offseason is Richie James, who has been dealing with injuries and was activated off of injured reserve before Week 11. He wasn’t active for the game but could play a significant factor for Toub and his unit once he’s active for a game.
“He would have to be; we would like him to be the punt returner if he’s going to be active. If he’s going to help us at all on special teams, that’s where he would have to help us,” said Toub. “Well, for me, I mean, offense, they could use him a lot of different ways. Obviously, he’s a wide receiver, but if he’s going to help me, I would use him as a punt returner. He’s not really a cover guy or gun or anything like that.”
James’ knee injury has only allowed him to play two games this season, tallying only 24 yards on six returns.