When Jacoby Jones was signed this offseason, the Ravens felt like they finally had a bona fide returner.
But the wide receiver/return specialist did more receiving than returning Monday night against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Jones returned just one punt and no kickoffs.
He did play a prominent role in the passing game as the third receiver, catching three passes for 46 yards. But the workload at wide out was not the reason he was limited on special teams, Head Coach John Harbaugh said.
"That was his role on special teams what he played in those particular reps," Harbaugh said. "We've got a plan with the other guys. We feel like we have some guys that can do some things. So, that was the plan special teams wise for Jacoby."
Cornerback Lardarius Webb, who signed a six-year contract extension in the offseason, returned one punt. Rookie free agent Deonte Thompson handled all the kickoff return duties.
Jones didn't return any kickoffs last year for the Houston Texans. He has a career average of 23.3 yards. Meanwhile, Thompson returned five in the preseason for 199 yards, giving him a whopping 39.8-yard average. He had a long of 63 yards that he nearly broke for a touchdown.
Thompson had four kickoff returns for 88 yards (a 22-yard average) Monday night.
Jones did handle the punt return duties for the Texans last year, however. With explosive lateral movement and flat-out speed, Jones averaged 10.6 yards per return last year.
The Ravens have said that they will still use Webb on a case-to-case basis. They inserted him in the second quarter, before using Jones, with the Ravens leading 17-3.
