All articles tagged with #special teams
Rookie fourth-rounder Kaden Wetjen flashed with a 45-yard punt-return TD in the preseason finale, fueling talk he could make Pittsburgh's 53-man roster, but beat writer Ray Fittipaldo remains unsure and suggests a waiver-wire addition could still happen; Wetjen has shown big plays but struggled as a returner, with coaching urging him to run north, and internal options like Max Hurleman available, making a Week 1 roster decision still unsettled.
With the Bengals entering Week 1 sporting more depth than last year, seven close roster calls will determine the final 53. Behind the studs at wide receiver (Chase, Higgins, Iosivas) figures like Colbie Young, Dohnte Meyers, Mitchell Tinsley, Charlie Jones, and Noah Thomas could push for spots, possibly making this a seven-man group. The final linebacker slot will hinge on special-teams value, while quarterback decisions loom between Johnson and Clifford (or a potential practice-squad/trade path). Tight ends could fill seven spots, with Gesicki, Sample and Hudson likely safe, but Endries, All Jr., Grandy and Kattus in the mix. Cornerbacks and safeties are a numbers game, potentially leaving six corners and five safeties if versatility and special-teams play into the cuts. The defensive line remains the deepest unit, boosted by Landon Robinson’s emergence, which could complicate decisions at other spots. In short, depth and special-teams considerations will drive the final cuts as Cincinnati aims for a strong 2026 run.
Green Bay's final preseason week will determine most of the 53-man roster, with 23 players on the bubble as the Packers host the Cardinals for a joint practice and then a Friday night preseason finale ahead of Sunday’s cutdown. Key bubble candidates include QB Kyle McCord; RB Pierre Strong Jr.; WRs J. Michael Sturdivant, Isaiah Neyor and Will Sheppard; TEs Messiah Swinson and McCallan Castles; OL Darian Kinnard, Donovan Jennings, John Williams and Travis Glover; DL Jonathan Ford, Anthony Campbell and Nazir Stackhouse; EDGE Arron Mosby and Nyjalik Kelly; LBs Nick Niemann and Kristian Welch; CBs Kamal Hadden, Domani Jackson and Jaylin Simpson; S Mark Perry; and LS Cal Adomitis.
Detroit’s preseason against Washington produced clearer depth signals: Dobbs started at QB with Altmyer rotating in behind him; Williams, Saylors, and Blackshear headline the RB group, while Jabari Small’s concussion may hurt his bid for a spot. Tay Martin appears the leading WR5 candidate after starting and contributing on special teams, whereas Dominic Lovett’s reduced role hurts his case. Meeks emerged as the top TE4 option behind LaPorta/Wright/Conklin. Miles Frazier’s versatility adds depth on the line, while Moore and Wingo flashed on defense. The LB battle between Devin White and Malcolm Rodriguez remains unresolved; Reed played most of the first half at corner, with Abney stepping up at nickel and Harper/Branch/Joseph sidelined by injury. Special teams produced a notable moment with Meeks’ forced fumble. Overall, the snap counts highlight where Detroit might shape the 53-man roster and practice squad, notably at WR, RB4/TE4, and defensive depth.”,
In Week 2 of the preseason, the Kansas City Chiefs showed significant tackle-depth concerns with Josh Simmons out due to a back injury, as Jaylon Moore, Khalil Benson and Esa Pole struggled in pass protection and raised questions about right tackle depth. If Simmons misses time, the offense would rely on extra chips and limit downfield throws. On defense, Felix Anudike-Uzomah and Mason Thomas flashed as disruptive edge players, though rookie Peter Woods has been underwhelming with limited power and hand usage. Special teams delivered a jaw-dropping moment as Harrison Butker nailed a 69-yard field goal before halftime, underscoring the kicking game’s strength this season.
Patriots win 24-21 in the second preseason game, but depth issues showed up on defense (tackling, edge pressure, and coverage at linebacker), the injury-hit offensive line, and limited early work for some backups. Still, second-year receivers flashed (Kyle Williams and Efton Chism), Lan Larison boosted the third-back spot, Behren Morton served as emergency punter and helped drive the late scoring march, and Andy Borregales was perfect after a rough previous outing, leaving questions about roster depth ahead of the final preseason games.
In Thursday night’s preseason game, Jacob Cowing returned an 83-yard punt for a touchdown after a short, middle punt by JK Scott. Jim Harbaugh criticized Scott’s punt placement and tackling effort, saying he must have a plan and be coached up. Scott is the Chargers’ lone punter and not in competition, but Harbaugh indicated he needs to improve.
The Jets fell 24-16 to Tampa Bay in their 2026 preseason opener, but three takeaways stood out: a dynamic RB duo of Breece Hall and Braelon Allen combined for 60 rushing yards on eight carries, with 53 yards after contact (6.6 yards after contact per rush) and Allen posting 8.3 yards after contact per carry; the LB3 competition posted zero missed tackles across Marcelino McCrary-Ball, Kiko Mauigoa, and Mykal Walker (13 total tackles), while contributing solid coverage; and Jets' special teams impressed with a +12.3 net punt return average and a +6.4 net kickoff return average.
Day Six of Steelers training camp was cleaner than yesterday but still featured injury notes and a few miscommunications in the new offense. Logan Lee missed a second straight day with an unspecified injury; DeShon Elliott remained limited; Jalen Ramsey, Donte Kent, and Joey Porter Jr. are on Active/PUP. Cole Burgess was waived/injured after a serious yesterday, with Jakobie Keeney-James signed to take his spot. Boswell went 8-for-8 on field goals as the team worked with new special teams coordinator Danny Crossman. Rodgers connected for two touchdowns with DK Metcalf, while Pittman Jr. was quiet early. Inside linebackers Wilson, Queen, Holcomb and Bruener were active; Nowakowski lined up at fullback as Pittsburgh leaned old-school power runs during a day focused on installing the offense.
Chiefs rookie Cyrus Allen exited practice on a cart after injuring himself while serving as the punt gunner; coach Dave Toub says rookies start on special teams and Allen will develop there, with Mansoor Delane also set to work ST amid a shoulder injury, illustrating the balance between season readiness and player health.
The Pittsburgh Steelers fired senior special-teams assistant Derius Swinton II after ESPN reported a violation of team policy described as 'workplace misconduct'; specifics were not disclosed. Swinton, 41, has a long NFL resume, having worked for multiple teams and been part of Mike McCarthy's staff, including stints as Chargers’ special-teams coordinator (2021) and Raiders’ interim special-teams coordinator in 2025.
The Pittsburgh Steelers terminated assistant special teams coach Derius Swinton II for workplace misconduct, a club policy violation whose specifics were not disclosed. Swinton was hired earlier this year as part of mike McCarthy’s staff and his departure creates an opening on Danny Crossman’s special teams unit as the team reshapes its staff after multiple offseason losses.
The Pittsburgh Steelers parted ways with senior special teams coach Derius Swinton II after a violation of club policy, ending his first season with Pittsburgh; Swinton, entering his 16th NFL season, had spent the prior three years with the Raiders (including 2025 as interim ST coordinator) and previously held ST coordinator roles with the 49ers and Chargers.
The Steelers dismissed assistant special teams coach Derius Swinton II after only a few months on Mike McCarthy’s staff; no reason was disclosed, but ESPN reported it was for a violation of club policy. Swinton, 41, has NFL coaching experience dating to 2009, including time with the Raiders and prior stints as a coordinator, and had not previously worked with McCarthy or Steelers coordinator Danny Crossman.
The Steelers fired senior special teams coach Derius Swinton II for a policy violation, leaving Danny Crossman as the lone ST coach; details were not disclosed and it’s unclear if a replacement will be hired before OTAs.