Chiefs’ Dave Toub Names Four Punt Return Options After Nikko Remigio’s Exit

The Kansas City Chiefs have an opening at punt returner heading into Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Falcons, and their newest wide receiver is already in the mix.

Special teams coordinator Dave Toub named Josh Downs, Xavier Worthy, Cyrus Allen and Emmett Johnson as options Thursday, according to Chiefs Wire. The Chiefs waived Nikko Remigio on Wednesday, leaving them without the player who had handled most of their punt returns this season.

Toub stopped short of naming a replacement and emphasized that he wants someone with experience fielding punts.

The Chiefs acquired Downs from the Indianapolis Colts at the trade deadline to bolster their receiving corps. He also brings NFL experience on special teams, with 32 career punt returns and an average of 9.8 yards per return, per Arrowhead Pride. Downs returned two punts for 20 yards with Indianapolis this season.

Remigio averaged 5.6 yards on 14 punt returns for Kansas City this year. His departure gives Toub a chance to see whether another returner can pick up extra yards and give Patrick Mahomes a shorter field.

Downs has spent the week getting acquainted with Mahomes and making a positive first impression with his new teammates. If Toub calls on him Sunday, Downs could help Kansas City with field position while he settles into his role on offense.

Worthy gives the Chiefs another receiver with the speed to turn an opening into a long return. Allen has gotten reps in the role, although he fumbled his opportunity last week. Johnson, a rookie running back, has also worked on returns and gives Toub an option outside the receiving corps.

There’s a difference between having the speed to break a return and being the player a coach trusts to handle a punt in traffic. A clean catch or a well-timed fair catch can be enough to make the right play, especially when the coverage team gets downfield quickly.

For all the attention on how quickly Downs can get comfortable in the passing game, his first chance to make an impact against Atlanta could come on special teams. The first Atlanta punt will offer an early look at whom Toub trusts with the job.