
At his training camp press conference, Kansas City Chiefs special teams coordinator Dave Toub shared his thoughts on the competition for punt returner and kickoff returner at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph.
“Right now, I mean, it’s so early right now obviously, but punt returner, I’m excited about Brashard (Brashard Smith). He keeps getting better and better,” said Toub, “He didn’t do it a lot in college, so this is new for him, but he’s really a good catcher, you know? And then obviously, Nikko (Nikko Remigio) just keeps getting better and better every day. He doesn’t make any mistakes. He’ll catch every ball. He’s dependable. And Worthy (Xavier Worthy), he’s working back there as well. That’s going to be a big question (on) whether I can use him or not; obviously, I’d love to have him back there, especially in certain situations, because he’s that guy that can really be dynamic with his top-end speed. But obviously, you know, it’s all going to depend on what’s going on with Rashee (Rashee Rice). And then you know, other guys that are in there are all doing a good job.”
Toub mentioned his desire to utilize Worthy before Rice’s injury last season. The former SMU standout’s pending suspension could affect his decision regarding Worthy on special teams.
“They’re all working hard. It’s going to take the preseason games to make a real good judgment on that. Right now, Nikko is as far and above everybody else right now, just because he keeps getting better,” said Toub, “And as far as the punter situation, that’s a big question, and we got the punters too, but as far as the punters go, it’s a good competition.
Remigio made a significant splash as a punt returner last season, especially during the divisional round postseason victory over the Houston Texans. His 41 total punt return yards in the game ranked fifth-most in a postseason game in team history. He also had the fourth-longest postseason punt return in franchise history.