3 biggest takeaways from the Detroit Lions 53-man roster

1. Who is going to return kickoffs?

As mentioned Godwin Igwebuike was among the Lions final cuts, and he was the Lions’ kickoff returner last year as well as a core special teamer.  Maurice Alexander, who had a great second preseason game for the Lions returning kickoffs following being the USFL’s top kickoff returner, was also let go.

Reynolds and Jefferson are candidates to return kickoffs, and if Jackson somehow makes it back to the Lions he would be a candidate too. Punt returner Kalif Raymond could be a candidate too. But as it is right now, barring a move made by the time you’re reading this, Reynolds appears to be the front runner for the gig.

Yes, the NFL has made effort to take kickoff returns out of the game in the name of player safety, since players running at each other with 30 yards of run-up isn’t conducive to limiting injuries. But for a team like the Lions, who have to try to find some margins to win games, field position and a return man who can occassionally break a long one is not to be set aside as unimportant.

Making a change from (or upgrading on) Igwebuike is a fine idea, but there’s some uncertainty now and a void to be filled at the kickoff returner spot for the Lions.