Tennessee Titans

Titans looking for new kick-returner

Published Jun. 11, 2015 1:23 a.m. ET

foxsports

With Leon Washington no longer with the Tennessee Titans, the team is in the market for someone to handle kick returns in 2015. On Wednesday, head coach Ken Whisenhunt said the team has three candidates in mind to replace Washington.

Wide receiver Jacoby Ford and running backs Dexter McCluster and Antonio Andrews will compete for the job in training camp.

"We'll look at a lot of different guys," Whisenhunt said, per John Glennon of the Tennessean. "We'll see where Jacoby fits in that mix. Antonio did a nice job for us last year. Dexter has done it before, and we'll see what other guys (might be in the mix)."

Of the three mentioned, Ford is the most accomplished. The wide receiver, who was out of the NFL last year, has returned 75 kicks over the course of his career, for an average of 25 yards per return. Ford has returned four kicks for touchdowns, including three for the Oakland Raiders in 2010.

McCluster has 52 career returns, but just one in the last three seasons. His career average is 20.9 yards. Andrews, entering his second-year, returned five kicks for an average of 22 yards as a rookie.

"We'll have the preseason games to find out about (the kick-return position) and we'll get a chance to look at it in some of the practices," Whisenhunt said.

Last season, Washington handled 31 kickoff returns for an average of 23.8 yards for the Titans. Tennessee elected not to re-sign him as a free agent.

(h/t The Tennessean)
Photo credit: Jason Getz/USA TODAY Sports