Quan

Cosby

Cosby has been Denver’s primary punt returner this season, totaling 269 yards on 27 returns. The 9.96-yard average was solid, but several muffs in Denver’s Week 15 loss to the Patriots cost Cosby his job. He was inactive against Buffalo. Eddie Royal has reclaimed the role over the past two weeks now that Demaryius Thomas is entrenched as a starting receiver.

Cosby was averaging a decent 9.96 yards on punt returns before being waived by the Broncos, but muffed a number of punts in Denver’s Week 15 loss to the Patriots. He’ll likely return punts for the Colts against the Jaguars this weekend, allowing Pierre Garcon to focus on offense.

Cosby takes the roster spot of Michael Spurlock, who was released after producing 14 catches and 121 yards in six games with the Jaguars. The club now has Cosby, Jordan Shipley and former Steelers practice squadder Toney Clemons behind Cecil Shorts and Justin Blackmon at wide receiver.

The Broncos are working in reverse. They’re supposed to sign an ex-Bengal the week of the game, not the week after. Cosby is a candidate to handle punt returns in Denver with Eddie Royal (groin) out at least two weeks. He averaged a respectable 10.0 yards on 70 returns in Cincinnati the past two years.

The Bengals are expected to keep six receivers, with Chad Ochocinco, Antonio Bryant, Andre Caldwell and Jordan Shipley manning four spots. The Jones/Simpson winner should get the fifth spot, and punt-return candidate Quan Cosby is the favorite for the final spot that goes to a special teamer. Sixth-rounder Dezmon Briscoe will have to exceed expectations to avoid the practice squad.

Cosby’s age (26) and height (5'8) were working against him in the draft. He caught 92 passes for 1,123 yards and 10 touchdowns last season while coming up with several clutch plays. The Bengals have a need at punt returner, which would be Cosby’s best chance of catching on down the road.

Chatman offers very little at this stage of his career, so the Bengals have nothing to lose by throwing the rookie out there. Cosby has a legit chance of making the squad this summer.

Cosby’s 60-yard return set up Carson Palmer’s 1-yard touchdown, and his 32-yarder led to a Shayne Graham field goal to help seal the win in the fourth quarter. It looks like the Bengals finally have a weapon in the return game.

Cosby was battling fellow undrafted rookie Tom Nelson for return duties. Nelson made the final squad as a special teams gunner and reserve corner/safety. Cosby won’t see much action at wide receiver, if any.

This was the disappointment of the day. Cosby was listed at 5'11/200 as a Longhorn. He already has age working against him after a stint in the Anaheim Angels’ system. Cosby will turn 27 at the end of his rookie year.