On Sunday’s first kickoff at Ford Field, one of the major mysteries surrounding the 2022 Detroit Lions will be officially resolved. not a single second earlier.
Who will return kicks for the Lions?
The kick return position has been vacant ever since the team abruptly removed Godwin Igwebuike, last year’s top return guy, in the final roster reduction. When questioned about it, head coach Dan Campbell declined to say who will replace Igwebuike.
Dave Fipp, the special teams coach, is currently keeping quiet as well. Fipp evaded a direct response during his press conference before practice on Thursday.
Yes, I would say that we will find out. Naturally, I won’t reveal that, but we’ll find out on Sunday. And I’ll admit, I’m excited about it. We had a few players return there throughout the preseason, and I believe they all did a terrific job.
Fipp said No. 46 is a possibility when informed that RB Craig Reynolds is the only player on the 53-man roster to have returned a kick this preseason. He didn’t do anything, though, to indicate how powerful Reynolds might be as a choice.
“Yeah, I’m completely at ease with it. Regarding Reynolds, I would simply put it that way,” Fipp said. “I would say Craig Reynolds is a possibility; he is clearly a possibility.
Depending on who we mention, there may be players on the practice squad, which is a completely different topic. We’ll find out, but going on that, it might be one of those men.
The primary punt returner, but less-used kick return option, is wide receiver Kalif Raymond, one of those other choices. The two players Justin Jackson and Tom Kennedy meet Fipp’s criteria for practice squad members.
Amon-Ra St. Brown, a star receiver, is another possible option, but it’s hard to imagine the Lions taking a chance on a return injury with someone who is so crucial to their offense.
