Kansas City Chiefs fans could see a familiar look when the team lines up to return punts against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 11.
Mecole Hardman’s status for Week 11 is in question, as he remains on the reserve/COVID-19 list. That means the Chiefs will likely turn to a new punt returner. When asked about the players he might turn to in Hardman’s absence, Chiefs ST coordinator Dave Toub listed WR Tyreek Hill at the top of the list.
“Tyreek (Hill) is obviously a pretty good option for us,” Toub told reporters. “We would use that option if we needed it. Like I’ve said before, we have other guys. You know Demarcus (Robinson), he can do it. (Rashad) Fenton can play it. We have a number of guys who can do it. Pringle could play. So you never know which way we would go there, but obviously, Tyreek would probably be the No. 1 option.”
Hill started off his career in Kansas City as a punt returner and worked his way up to the role that you see him in today. He hasn’t really played much punt returner over the past two seasons, with just two returns for no yards in each of the past two years. In each of his first three seasons in the NFL, Hill returned a total of 84 punts for 1,009 yards and four touchdowns.
Hill was considered among one of the most explosive return specialists in the league during that span. In fact, Hill’s first career punt return touchdown came against the Raiders on “Thursday Night Football” in Week 14 of the 2016 NFL season. He returned the punt for 78 yards in the second quarter to give the Chiefs a 21-3 lead in the game.
Now, we could see Hill return to this familiar role, while also balancing his role on the offense. There is a lot of confidence among the coaching staff that he’ll be able to manage both if necessary.
“I know this, Tyreek has done it in the past,” Chiefs OC Eric Bieniemy said. “He knows the challenges that he’ll be facing and I’m actually kind of excited. What better opportunity for him to steal another moment of getting the ball and doing what he does. Hell, I’m gonna get my popcorn as well.”
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