Kenjon Barner returned three punts through his first four NFL seasons.
But there’s reason to think the New England Patriots agreed to terms with the veteran running back on Tuesday because of the work he fielded deep during his fifth.
Barner re-signed with the Philadelphia Eagles late last September after ageless all-purpose threat Darren Sproles landed on injured reserve with a broken arm and torn ACL. He would finish his 2017 campaign having returned 28 punts for 250 yards – and with a Super Bowl LII ring.
Prior to then, Barner had 19 yards on his NFL resume in that department.