Seattle Seahawks search for returners for kickoffs and punts | Insights
Seahawks' Return Specialist Situation Remains Unsettled
In the ongoing preseason, the Seattle Seahawks are still figuring out their return specialist situation, with several players vying for the kickoff and punt return jobs.
Former running back Curt Warner, a member of the team's Ring of Honor, raised the 12 flag, but the focus on the field has been on the return units. The first-team offensive line, comprising Abe Lucas, Anthony Bradford, Grey Zabel, and Josh Jones, with starter Charles Cross still being held out of contact work after finger surgery, has been providing solid protection.
Third-year running back Kenny McIntosh is out for the year due to an ACL injury, leaving a gap in the returning units. Steven Sims, signed by Seattle for his return experience, has shown promise with 62 kickoff returns in his NFL career, averaging 25.2 yards per return and scoring one touchdown. He also has 74 punt returns for 462 yards in the regular season. However, Sims has been sidelined due to a hamstring injury and has missed the Seahawks' preseason games.
George Holani and Dareke Young are currently the frontrunners for the kickoff return jobs. In the Seahawks' second preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Holani and Young were the starting kickoff returners. Holani had a promising 50-yard return called back due to a holding penalty on Drake Thomas. Young returned the second kickoff for 34 yards and the third kickoff following a safety for 26 yards.
However, neither Holani nor Young has a return in an NFL game, nor does Tory Horton, who is listed as the starter for the punt return job. Rookie Horton's inexperience might lead the Seahawks to want a second player on the roster who can return punts, due to concerns about using him extensively on special teams and offense.
Rookie Tory Horton is listed as the starter for the punt return job, but Jake Bobo and Damarion Williams also got returns in the preseason game against the Chiefs. Seattle's coach Mike Macdonald was Baltimore's defensive coordinator in 2019, the year Sims returned a punt 67 yards for a touchdown for Houston against Baltimore.
Anthony Tyus III and Cody White are other potential candidates for the kickoff and punt return jobs, respectively. Tyus and White showed promising performances in the preseason, and Sims, though hampered by a hamstring injury, worked with the starters on returns during recent practices, implying he may still compete for return duties once healthy.
LaJohntay Wester also solidified a role as a kickoff returner during the preseason opener and could be involved in receiver snaps, making him another possible option for returns.
In the midst of these changes, Jalen Sundell started at center in Oluwatimi's absence, with Federico Maranges working with the second team and rookie Mason Richman with the third team. Richman, listed as a guard, began playing mostly center this week. Seattle's coach Mike Macdonald has indicated Oluwatimi's injury is not serious, but his absence and Macdonald's comments about narrowing on a starting five could suggest Sundell might begin the year as the starting center.
The final roster decisions will be influenced by the performance of the special teams units. Zach Triner handled the long snapping with Chris Stoll sidelined with a back issue. The Seahawks will need to make these decisions soon, with the regular season fast approaching.
Seattle Mariners, a different sports team based in Seattle, are preparing for their upcoming baseball games, while the Seattle Seahawks' return specialist situation remains uncertain due to injuries and competing players vying for both kickoff and punt return jobs. Seahawks candidates include George Holani, Dareke Young, Tory Horton, Jake Bobo, Damarion Williams, Anthony Tyus III, Cody White, and LaJohntay Wester, each trying to secure a spot. Jobs in Seattle's sports scene are highly anticipated, as the city's passion for sports spans from football to baseball.
