Brandon Aiyuk returning punts could prove a stroke of genius from the 49ers
With Ray-Ray McCloud on injured reserve, the San Francisco 49ers are missing their starting returner, and their efforts to find a replacement to run back punts have not been overly successful. Rookie Ronnie Bell has taken on that duty in his absence but has done little to make the Niners feel comfortable with him in […]
With Ray-Ray McCloud on injured reserve, the San Francisco 49ers are missing their starting returner, and their efforts to find a replacement to run back punts have not been overly successful.
Rookie Ronnie Bell has taken on that duty in his absence but has done little to make the Niners feel comfortable with him in that spot, the seventh-rounder very fortunate to avoid losing a fumble while returning a punt in last week's win over the Arizona Cardinals.
The 49ers have turned to starting wide receiver Deebo Samuel to return kicks with McCloud out, and another starter at that spot could be their new punt returner.
Brandon Aiyuk was seen practicing punt returns on Thursday ahead of the 49ers' Christmas Day game, and there's significant reason to think that Aiyuk being deployed in that role could prove an extremely astute move by San Francisco.
Aiyuk returned kicks and punts for Arizona State in college and was particularly impressive in the latter area in his final season with the Sun Devils.
Indeed, he amassed 226 yards on 14 punt returns in 2019, taking one back for a touchdown. He averaged 16.1 yards per punt return.
Achieving success as a punt returner in the NFL is obviously a significantly more difficult challenge, but the quick-twitch athleticism that allows Aiyuk to thrive as a route-runner could easily translate to the return game.
Additionally, Aiyuk has proven himself adept at adjusting to the flight of the ball in the air, so the odds of punts being muffed with San Francisco's leading receiver back there should be lower than they are with Bell as the returner.
The 49ers will hope McCloud can eventually resolve the issue by returning from his rib injury. However, in the meantime, Aiyuk makes sense as a stopgap option with the talent to produce explosive plays in the return game.
Employing a starter as a return man carries risks, but the rewards could also be significant if Aiyuk gets a chance and shows any signs of performing to the same level he did in that capacity in college.
Kyle Shanahan explains why 49ers might have a stressful Christmas
It’s going to be a tough test
