Detroit Lions Return Duties Still to be Determined

The Detroit Lions‘ return game was a big topic during the media session at practice yesterday but head coach Jim Caldwell was holding his cards close to his vest even though the regular season opener is now just a matter of days away.

With Jeremy Ross not making the 53-man roster for the regular season, there isn’t a single obvious player to handle return duties. Any announcement of who we can expect to see handling kicks and punts won’t come until late in the week. For now, the Lions have a group of guys in the mix.

"We’ve got a list of guys that are working, operating and we’ll have it out issued sometime toward the end of week, but we’ll make our final determination before the game."

While Caldwell wasn’t willing to offer any names voluntarily, he also didn’t outright deny some possibilities when specifically asked.

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Ameer Abdullah got some looks as a kick returner in preseason play and there are some things Caldwell likes about Abdullah as a potential return man:

"Quickness, speed, good hands. He’s a young guy and I think he’s got potential."

He was also willing to answer a question about TJ Jones as a punt returner:

"Had a chance to see him during the preseason a bit and he made some nice runs. He runs a little faster than what you think, he can make you miss and he certainly can break a tackle once in a while. It’s not his forte, but he certainly has that ability."

Caldwell also indicated that veterans like Golden Tate and Lance Moore could be used in a return capacity.

"There is a possibility. He has the ability to do so, so does Lance Moore. We have a number of guys.…Every week we may take a look at where we are, what we’re doing, how he fits in. It could happen."

One thing that won’t factor into the decision is the risk of injury. As Caldwell explains, the Lions are in the business of winning football games and will pick their return man based on what they feel is the best decision in that context:

"No, not at risk of injury. Because we’re in the business of winning games and anybody that can get back there and help us, we’re going to put them back there. Just kind of depends on what’s happening and whether or not we think it’s proper whomever we use. The great thing is we have options and we have a lot of good options. So we’ll take a look at each and every situation a little differently and make a determination from there."

That might make some Lions fans feel uneasy with the memory of Golden Tate taking a big hit in his only punt return opportunity in last season’s Wild Card game against the Dallas Cowboys.

The same goes for Ameer Abdullah, the dynamic running back drafted to replace Jahvid Best and Reggie Bush – two players whose effectiveness with the Lions were limited by injuries.

The good news is that the Lions have options and don’t have to feel forced into using a player expected to contribute in a big way on offense. They have the ability to use Abdullah or Tate but also to turn to someone else as a precuation if one of those guys is dealing with a nagging injury.

What do you think? Does the prospect of using Golden Tate or Ameer Abdullah on returns make you nervous?

Next: Lions 53-man roster is set

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