The San Francisco 49ers have a very open competition for kick- and punt-return duties going on right now. Skyy Moore’s departure to the Green Bay Packers has left an open void, and there are seemingly half a dozen guys in the mix who could handle return duties.
A new name has entered the mix, as Nick Wagoner of ESPN reports cornerback Jack Jones got some return reps in practice recently. All the other candidates for the Niners are wide receivers or running backs, so it’s interesting a defensive player is getting a chance, too, and shows San Francisco is casting a wide net right now.
Jones hasn't had any returner experience in the NFL, but he did do some return work when he was in college. He’s probably not the top choice, but it’s good to have options, especially if guys get injured throughout the season.
As Jones gets some reps, the Niners decided to cut Khalil Herbert who had success as a returner in the past. It’s a little surprising, since the 49ers have had so many injuries at running back, but with Kaelon Black’s return to the field on Tuesday, the team had to make a move. Herbert was the odd man out.
49ers still have no clear answer to return punts and kicks
This whole competition is going to be interesting to watch. Other names in the mix are Deebo Samuel, Jacob Cowing, Jordan Watkins, and Will Pauling. A lot of this will depend on who makes the regular-season roster, and the Niners may decide who makes it based more on how players perform as a pass catcher during drills rather than as a returner.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan has never placed much of a premium on special teams, but Brant Boyer became the special teams coordinator last year and helped rejuvenate a unit that was atrocious in 2024.
Keeping that momentum going will be hard, so the Niners have to make sure they settle on a solid option in the return game. Chances are all of these guys will get looks, but Watkins seems like a safe bet in the return game since he’s younger. San Francisco probably doesn’t want a veteran like Samuel out there returning kicks either.
Veteran Christian Kirk is another guy to keep an eye on, but he hasn’t practiced in weeks, and the 49ers will probably be cautious with him when he comes back, so don’t expect to see him returning kicks until he’s fully healthy.
Pauling, the undrafted rookie receiver, has a chance to snag Kirk’s place on the roster if he keeps playing well in practice. If he can prove he’s serviceable as a returner, that is only going to give him more of a boost.
The return game is important, so this competition is something to keep an eye on. Jones is a surprise entrant, and Herbert getting cut narrows the field a bit.
But these last few weeks could decide a lot on who assumes these duties in Week 1 of the regular season.
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