Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett has big shoes to fill this season, looking to assume the No. 1 position with Doug Baldwin no longer on the roster.
With the addition of rookie receiver DK Metcalf, and the impressive camps from veterans Jaron Brown and David Moore, the hope was for Lockett to be spelled somewhat from the return game.
Seahawks special teams coordinator Brian Schneider might have different plans, however.
“Well, I’m going to keep him back there until Coach tells me not to,” Schneider told reporters after Tuesday’s practice. “The number one thing is with punt return, he is so secure with the football. There’s a lot of decisions to be made, there’s a lot of opportunities for turnovers, and he’s been excellent. You always start there and then just see how it plays out.
“We do have some guys who can do it, but we just have a lot of trust in Lockett.”
Metcalf has been taking his turns at punt return reps during training camp but issued a warning Monday about his return abilities.
“This is going to be my first time doing it,” Metcalf said. “Pray for me.”
