New addition Devin Hester is expected to handle punts for the Falcons in 2014 but the team is looking for depth at the position.
During the first training camp practice today Hester was joined in punt return drills by veterans Harry Douglas, Josh Wilson, and Javier Arenas as well as rookies Tramaine Thompson and Bernard Reedy.
In 2013 the Falcons ranked 20th of 30 teams with an average punt return of 8.3 yards and their long return of 25 yards was tied for third-shortest in the league.
Douglas started the 2013 season as the primary punt returner but gave way to Robert Alford when injuries required Douglas to play more snaps at wide receiver. Robert Alford was used briefly to field punts before Robert McClain took over the position.
Hester, 31, ranks fifth in NFL history with an average of 12.3 yards per punt return. He’s scored 13 touchdowns on punt returns during his career.
Arenas was the primary punt returner for the Chiefs from 2010-2012 and had one return for the Cardinals in 2013. He’s averaged 9.7 yards on 106 punt returns with a long of 37.
Wilson has just one career punt return attempt though he handled kickoffs for Seattle in 2007-2009 and for Baltimore in 2010.
Reedy, a Toledo product, was a first-team All-MAC selection as a kick and punt returner in 2012.
Kansas State’s Thompson was voted honorable mention All-Big 12 by coaches as a kick and punt returner in 2013 and as a punt returner in 2012.
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