Knowshon Moreno’s punt return days over, for now

Athens — Knowshon Moreno has fallen “by the wayside” as a prospective punt returner, at least for the moment, Georgia coach Mark Richt said Tuesday.

“Knowshon had a spell there where he couldn’t get any reps [because of a sore shoulder],” Richt said, “Not to say he won’t get revived one day [as a punt returner], but I doubt he does it the first game.

“I wouldn’t count Knowshon out of returning some punts before this year is over. He is very capable, and he would be excited about the opportunity.”

Richt created a bit of a stir a couple of weeks ago when he publicly floated the idea of Moreno — a 1,300-yard rusher last season — returning punts.

Moreno told reporters Tuesday that he wouldn’t worry about the injury risk in doing so.

“That’s part of the game,” he said. “I wouldn’t mind being back there catching a few. I think that would be perfect. I say I’d do anything to help the team out, and if that’s what the coaches want me to do, then I’ll do it.”

But Moreno, like Richt, indicated it’s not in his immediate future: “I can’t really see that right now unless the coaches see otherwise. “

Richt has said that redshirt freshman quarterback Logan Gray and freshman running back Carlton Thomas, as well as Moreno, have handled some punt returns in practice. On the official depth chart released Tuesday, cornerbacks Asher Allen and Prince Miller were listed 1-2 at punt returner.

Richt said it’ll be “maybe a game-day” decision who handles the role against Georgia Southern. “I’m afraid to ask Coach Fab,” Richt said with a smile, referring to coach Jon Fabris.

Richt said Allen and Ramarcus Brown will return kickoffs.