Latest injury update makes Jets return game a total mystery for Week 2

The New York Jets are set to shake up their special-teams unit in Week 2 against the Buffalo Bills, with changes driven both by injuries and by the team’s own roster decisions.

The Jets released punt returner Xavier Gipson on Wednesday after his fumbles in Sunday's Week 1 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers proved to be costly. However, Gipson isn't the only change the Jets will be making to their return game.

Former All-Pro kick returner Kene Nwangwu suffered a hamstring injury in Sunday's game and has been ruled out for Week 2. As a result, the Jets have been left scrambling in search of solutions at both positions.

The Jets added two external candidates to the mix this week while also having several potential internal replacement options. But who will actually handle kick and punt return duties against Buffalo?

Who will be the Jets' kick and punt returners in Week 2?

The most likely solution is wide receiver Isaiah Williams, who was signed off the Cincinnati Bengals' practice squad this week. Williams was originally signed by the Detroit Lions as a free agent last year, giving him ties to both head coach Aaron Glenn and offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand.

The former Illinois standout has experience returning both kicks and punts, making him a natural fit for either role. It's also notable that he was signed to the 53-man roster, which should give him the edge over other replacement options.

One such option is undrafted rookie Jamaal Pritchett. Many believed Pritchett would make the Jets' 53-man roster over Gipson as the team's punt returner this summer following his impressive performance in the preseason.

However, given the Jets' additions of both Williams and Keilan Robinson — who was also signed to the practice squad this week — it seems clear that the coaching staff doesn't fully trust him yet. Barring an unexpected practice squad elevation, don't expect him to factor into the team's special-teams plans in Week 2.

Robinson is an interesting candidate who also brings experience as a kick returner. The former Texas standout was a fifth-round pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars in last year's draft, although he appeared in just six games as a rookie, returning two kicks for 34 yards.

The Jets could also turn to a pair of players already on their 53-man roster. Rookie Arian Smith filled in following Nwangwu's injury on Sunday, returning one kick for 31 yards. Expect him to be at least one of the team's kick returners.

There's also running back Isaiah Davis, who returned nine kicks for 232 yards as a rookie last year and worked as a kick returner this summer. For what it's worth, the Jets' pre-Week 1 unofficial depth chart listed Smith as the backup kick returner and Davis as the backup punt returner.

The Jets will have no shortage of options with Gipson gone and Nwangwu sidelined. The likeliest candidates remain Isaiah Williams, Arian Smith, and Isaiah Davis, with Williams emerging as the most prominent name to watch.

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