Analyzing the Tennessee Titans' 6 options at punt returner
By Justin Melo
Kearis Jackson, WR
An undrafted free-agent rookie out of Georgia last season, Kearis Jackson made Tennessee's initial 53-man roster out of camp due to special teams prowess. Jackson outright won the punt return job, and had returned six of them for 48 yards before landing on season-ending IR with an injury. The results were above-average at 8.0 yards per return with a long of 14 and three fair catches.
Jackson must now endear himself to Brian Callahan and special teams coordinator Colt Anderson. A new regime means new opportunity, but it also means they'll care precious-little that Mike Vrabel and Craig Aukerman appointed him as the punt returner last August. Jackson is a practice squad receiver if he's not the starting punt returner.
Jha'Quan Jackson, WR
Jha'Quan Jackson could be considered an early favorite. The rookie sixth-round receiver possesses the best 53-man roster chances of any player that's auditioned for punt returner at camp thus far. Jackson was an electric special teams performer at Tulane.
In five years with the Green Wave football program, Jackson totaled 734 yards as a kick returner, and 664 yards and a touchdown as a punt returner. Titans GM Ran Carthon mentioned special teams when doing Jackson's post-draft presser. The selection was made with special teams upside in mind.