The Commanders lost key returners and gave several roster hopefuls opportunities on kickoffs and punts. Kazmeir Allen and Demetric Felton handled most kick returns while rookie Jaylin Lane took most punts. Lane made a smart sideline fair catch and converted a punt return into an 11-yard gain, demonstrating comfort fielding punts, but he allowed a short ball to bounce on his next try and pinned the team deep. Allen made correct fair-catch decisions on shorter punts but faces a numbers challenge. No decisive big plays or turnovers occurred, leaving the return role unresolved heading into the season.
Lane dropped deep on kickoffs along with Noah Igbinoghene later, while Allen handled a couple of punts. In total, he returned four kickoffs and punts and caught a few fair catches. The other return hopefuls each got one opportunity. Nothing definitive happened in the return game. No big plays. No fumbles. There was no seismic shift that fans were hoping for.
Lane, who had a good night as a receiver, may have just about sewn up the punt returner job with the first of his two tries. He came up smartly and fielded a punt on the sideline, then made a strong run to advance the ball 11 yards. Chances are, if he does not field the punt, it goes out of bounds, but there's no guarantee it doesn't bounce deeper into the Commanders' territory.
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