Maybe not exactly a position battle but others can become returners if Agnew is released. Danny Amendola has spent plenty of time as a punt returner throughout his career.
Jamal Agnew was once the most electrifying punt returner in the game. It wasn’t too long ago he made a Pro Bowl as a returner for the NFC Conference averaging whopping 15-plus yards per punt return. I don’t think I could average that on Madden, that is a depth player making a difference on special teams.
Agnew was hurt much of last year and spent a significant amount of time on the injury reserve list. He was only able to average a dismal 4.8 yards per punt return last season. A considerable decrease from his rookie season.
It was a small sample size from his rookie year since he was only able to appear in 6 games last season, but he had more total kick return yardage in those six games than he did in 13 games his rookie season. Agnew had eight returns totaling 216 yards which is suitable for a 27-yard average. In his rookie season, he recorded 196 yards on 11 returns. So the kick return average still proves he hasn’t lost his juice, but if he wants to stay around, he needs to prove he can create space once again on punt returns.
Agnew has a chance tonight to show off his athleticism as he is bound to get plenty of work with the Detroit Lions defense. Agnew is a corner that primarily will work out of the slot. As of now, he’s a backup to newly signed Justin Coleman. I don’t write ‘as of now’ to suggest he can take his job, I write it because there is a chance that Jamal Agnew loses the backup job to someone else.
Agnew hasn’t looked the best in practice; in fact, last week he was getting absolutely worked by Danny Amendola. He needs to prove his worth on special teams and make a couple of positive plays tonight, or he could be on the chopping block.