Jorrick

Calvin

Calvin is filling in on punts for as long as DeSean Jackson (concussion) is out, but he appears to have taken the kickoff return job full time. Ellis Hobbs had been averaging 23.7 yards per return on kickoffs.

Calvin was excellent as a fill-in last week, returning two punts for 46 yards against the Falcons. With Jackson’s status in question beyond the Week 8 bye, Calvin could keep the job for multiple games.

Calvin’s return is questionable.

April referenced that Riley Cooper would have a bigger special teams role “with DeSean back.” He could have just been referring to having him back at practice, but it’s worth noting nonetheless. April also mentioned that he wasn’t sure if Jackson would return punts this week or not, as both Jackson and Jorrick Calvin have been fielding punts in practice this week. Calvin has actually been much better on punt returns this season.

The Eagles are game-planning as if Jackson will be in the starting lineup. Now that he’s passed all of his tests and put in a full practice, only a return of concussion symptoms will keep him out. It’s still unclear as to whether Jackson or Jorrick Calvin will return punts. It’s now safe to pencil in Jackson as a WR2 this week, though it’s a good idea to check back Friday afternoon for the Eagles’ official injury report.

Calvin missed his senior year at Troy because he was ruled academically ineligible. He had a tumultuous 2009, as he lost his aunt and uncle in the span of two days and became the proud father of a baby girl. Now finally able to turn his full attention to football, look for Calvin to compete for punt-return duties and slowly work his way up the depth chart at corner.

Calvin has returned both kicks and punts in his rookie season and done a decent job, but the mistakes in the Redskins game cost him, as he was inactive for the first time since Week 2. In Week 11, DeSean Jackson returned punts and Ellis Hobbs was the kick returner before getting injured. Calvin might get his kickoff return duties back by default with Hobbs out.