Tom Allen sheds light on potential punt return rotation for Week 5 depending on status of DJ Matthews Jr.
Tom Allen was asked about how the punt returner situation is looking in Bloomington. The Indiana HC mentioned who fans could see returning punts on Saturday per 247Sports’ Matt Weaver.
The team’s usual returner, D.J. Matthews Jr., is listed as day-to-day ahead of the Nebraska game with an undisclosed injury, according to Dustin Dopirak of Indy Star.
Allen says D.J. Matthews will be day to day this week but his injury is not long term.
— Dustin Dopirak (@DustinDopirak) September 26, 2022
Allen stated that Connor Delp will be the team’s lead returner if Matthew isn’t able to play on Saturday. Allen likes what the young returner brings to the table for the Hoosier return game.
“Connor Delp is obviously young and has a great growth opportunity this past week to get some live action,” said Allen. “Doing that is a tough skillset to do; catching punts is very challenging without question. He is our lead guy, if D.J. (Matthews Jr.) can’t go.”
The other players that make up the rotation are Noah Pierre, Bryant Fitzgerald, and Jaylin Williams.
“Noah Pierre has also taken reps this week, as well,” said Allen. “Bryant Fitzgerald is the other guy that has caught punts quite a bit for us, as far as in practice, the last several years. Even Jaylin Williams would be in the mix, as well. We have had several guys back there this week to be able to allow us to have some answers if we need that.”
It’ll be interesting to see if any updates about Matthews’ status come out before kick off.