With Jim Leonhard (thumb surgery) not expected to play, and with 2009 PR Leon Washington out for the season, the Jets will have a new punt returner Sunday at the Patriots - Jerricho Cotchery. He hasn’t returned punts since 2005.
Leonhard was replaced last week by CB Darrelle Revis, but the Jets don't want to expose their best defensive player on punt returns. So special teams coach Mike Westhoff basically held an open audition.
"We put an ad in the paper," he cracked.
They'll go with Cotchery because he's the most sure-handed. As far as kickoff returns, it looks like it'll be Dwight Lowery and Brad Smith again. Recently-signed Justin Miller, benched last week, probably won't be active. But the coaches raved about his performance at cornerback in today's practice.
Dwight Lowery and Brad Smith will share the kickoff-return duties for the second straight week. David Clowney also may get a look.
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