The Seattle Seahawks replaced Tyler Lockett with David Moore as a punt returner on Sunday, and he may continue in that role going forward.
Seattle Seahawks receiver Tyler Lockett was able to suit up and play on Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles, but the scary leg injury he suffered late in Week 10 against the San Francisco 49ers was clearly still impacting him.
Lockett only hauled in one reception, on two targets, and he was not utilized in his usual role as the team’s kick and punt returner – a role he was named an All-Pro for back in 2016.
David Moore served as the team’s punt returner in Lockett’s place, and looked very solid. He had an opportunity to return three punts and gained 20 total yards for a 6.7 average yards per return.
The heavy wind made kicking, and catching, extremely difficult all game long, making Moore’s performance all the more impressive.
“It was a very difficult game to catch punts, he made it look easy,” coach Pete Carroll said on 710 ESPN’s Pete Carroll show. “Obviously, he’s a natural back there. He did a really good job. We’ve always known that, he’s just been behind Tyler (Lockett). It really helps us out. Tyler didn’t get to practice this stuff all week long the way he normally does, and so David did and he came through in great fashion. He made it look like he was right at home there.”
Moore didn’t return any punts last year, but he did serve as a return man while in college at East Central Oklahoma.
Lockett’s leg injury is expected to be fully healed by Seattle’s next game, Monday night against Minnesota, but Carroll indicated Moore may get additional opportunities as a returner this season.
“He will be part of it for sure, as we move forward,” Carroll continued. “We’ll pick and choose how we do it.”
The Seahawks finally return home after a long Thanksgiving week, where they will host the Vikings on Monday night at 5:15 p.m. PT.
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