"Once Gibson went down, the Patriots had six different players attempt multiple kick returns, and were even still searching for an answer at the position during Super Bowl LX, when they tried out both D'Ernest Johnson and TreVeyon Henderson as returners."
"With Gibson now no longer on the roster, efforts to find a new kick returner have continued this offseason, as the team hosted multiple return specialists for tryouts at their rookie minicamp."
"Jha'Quan Jackson was a sixth-round pick (182nd overall) by the Tennessee Titans in 2024, following a college career in which he recorded 60 punt returns for 677 yards and a touchdown, to go along with 36 kick returns for 772 yards. At the 2024 NFL combine, he ran an official 4.42-second 40-yard dash."
"Another player who has already spent some time in the pros, Dee Williams initially began his college career as a wide receiver before transitioning to defensive back midway through his final college campaign in 2023. In two seasons with the Volunteers, he returned 35 punts for 540 yards and two touchdowns, while also bringing back 13 kickoffs for 274 yards."
Antonio Gibson’s torn ACL in 2025 left the Patriots searching for a reliable kickoff returner. After his injury, six different players handled multiple kick returns, and the team continued evaluating options into Super Bowl LX, trying D’Ernest Johnson and TreVeyon Henderson as returners. The Patriots have continued that search during the offseason by hosting return specialists for tryouts at rookie minicamp, indicating the position remains a need for 2026. Among the tryouts, Jha’Quan Jackson brings kick and punt return production from college and early pro experience, including a 4.42-second 40-yard dash at the 2024 combine. Dee Williams also offers return experience from his time at Tennessee, with punt and kickoff return production alongside defensive back development.
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