Because David Reed will not be able to play this weekend against the Pittsburgh Steelers due to a suspension for violating the NFL’s substance-abuse policy, there are three rookie receivers who would like to fill his role.
Without Reed, the Ravens will need a primary kickoff returner and a wideout to contribute to the passing game, and Torrey Smith, Tandon Doss and LaQuan Williams are all poised to step up.
“With David Reed gone, all those guys bump up a spot. So, the three young receivers are going to be big,” said Head Coach John Harbaugh.
Reed leaves big shoes to fill.
He led the NFL with a 29.3-yard average per kickoff return in 2010.
Hauling in five catches for 84 yards, Reed also excelled as a wideout during the preseason, but the Ravens will need to substitute more on special teams than at the third receiver position, where Smith has taken the majority of reps.
“You never know when your name’s going to be called, so whenever it is, you have to be willing to step up and make a play,” said Doss, a fourth-round draft pick who posted 1,016 kickoff return yards last season for Indiana University.
The Ravens could also plug in second-round draftee Torrey Smith, who averaged 19.5 yards on 30 kickoff returns as a senior at the University of Maryland.
And then there is Williams, who owns a 36-yard kickoff return during the preseason that he nearly broke for a touchdown. Williams also notched a 38-yard punt return that set up a game-winning touchdown drive in the Ravens’ third preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Williams said he wasn’t sure of his role for Sunday.
“I’m not sure and just going in Day 1 to see how it goes,” said the undrafted free agent. “We’ll figure it out as we go. I’m going to try to get the most out of every opportunity I get.”
In potentially getting a default promotion, Doss said he would rely on the sage advice from veterans like Anquan Boldin and Lee Evans heading into his debut.
“I’m ready for the whole experience and to soak everything in and learn on the fly,” said Doss. “I’m going to try to talk to ‘Q’ and Lee and look for advice.
“I’m looking forward to whatever I can do to help the team, though.”
