Commanders' Antonio Gibson: Starting Kick Returner?

Gibson has been gaining steam as a kick returner.
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It's been a whirlwind of a training camp for Washington Commanders running back Antonio Gibson.

After struggling with fumbling during practice and once during the preseason opener, Gibson appears to have his grip on the starting running back job slipping ... but he's on the way to potentially claiming another starting job.

Gibson has been returning kicks frequently during practice and even took the opening kick last week against the Kansas City Chiefs, and head coach Ron Rivera likes what he sees.

“Antonio was getting more and more comfortable," Rivera said. "When you watch it on tape, you see him circling the ball, getting under it, making a good catch and you know, it's something he did well in college and we're pretty excited having him do it.”

Gibson returned kicks during his collegiate career at Memphis, but has yet to play a special teams snap in a regular season game through his first two seasons.

Despite his rustiness, Rivera believes he could be the team's best option as a kick returner going into the season.

“I think you still need to see some more stuff, but you know, I think he is," Rivera said. "I do. I think he's done a nice job.”

Winning the starting returner job doesn't mean Gibson won't be the starting running back, but given his struggles and rookie Brian Robinson Jr.'s swift ascent, there appears to be a reshuffling of roles in Washington.

Gibson will have one more crack to solidify the starting returner job Saturday night when the Commanders take on the Baltimore Ravens in the preseason finale. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.


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Jeremy Brener
JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.