Rookie cornerback Micah Hyde showed he can return punts last week when he took one back 93 yards for a touchdown. He’ll remain in that role and now he’s in play as the Green Bay Packers kick returner.
Both he and rookie running back Johnathan Franklin worked in that role during practice this week. Coach Mike McCarthy says he hasn’t made a determination on who will handle those duties against Chicago on Monday.
“I haven’t made decision yet. Hyde and Franklin are both working back there,” McCarthy said on Friday.
Franklin has been pretty mediocre as a kick returner this season. He took over that job after the Packers cut Jeremy Ross earlier this season. Franklin has returned three kicks for 60 yards and his long is 26.
Not exactly world beating numbers.
So could Hyde be the answer?
Well, he’s played well in pretty much every facet of the game when the Packers have put him on the field. And with Franklin’s lackluster performance, there’s pretty much no reason not to give him a shot.
The Packers don’t really have a true returner on the roster, other than the injured Randall Cobb, so they’re going to have to develop one. Hyde may well be that guy.