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Calvin Austin III Hopeful To Add Kick-Return Duties To His Job Description

Cordarrelle Patterson will obviously be one of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ kick returners. Arguably the greatest returner ever, no one in NFL history has more kick-return scores than his nine. But new NFL rules mandate two players align in the “landing zone,” meaning Patterson needs a partner. WR Calvin Austin III hopes it’s him.

Appearing on ESPN’s 92.9 Jason & John show Friday, Austin said he might add kick returns alongside his punt-return duties.

“I think there’s a chance I will,” Austin told the show when asked if he’ll return kicks.

In many ways, kick returns now function more like a punt.