Travis Benjamin will be returner if Josh Cribbs can't play

Travis Benjamin is ready to return kicks and punts at Oakland if Josh Cribbs cannot play against the Raiders on Sunday.

A shoulder/chest injury prevented Cribbs from practicing for the second straight day Thursday. He was in the locker room but declined to answer questions.

Cribbs is averaging 12.8 yards a return on 28 punt returns — fifth-best in the league. He has returned 30 kicks for a 28.4 average — seventh-best.

Benjamin, a rookie from Miami (Fla.), has returned two punts and two kicks this season. One of his punt returns was 40 yards, and the other 16 yards. He has had more modest success on kick returns with two returns for 47 yards.

"It's an every week thing," Benjamin said after practice Thursday. "Every week I'm behind Cribbs. He'll take a rep and I'll take a rep, so I'm already prepared to take the role."

Cribbs and Benjamin have different styles. Cribbs is 6-foot-1, 215 pounds. Benjamin is 5-foot-10, 175 pounds. He is faster than Cribbs but doesn't run through tackles the way Cribbs does.

"It's going to be kind of rainy, so maybe (Sebastian Janikowski) won't get the leg into it he wants to," Benjamin said. "Every ball should be returnable.

"It's all about timing, knowing I get to the block quicker and get to the hole quicker. It's something we've been working on all week in practice. I'm very exciting knowing I can come in and fill Josh Cribbs' shoes and knowing I'm prepared and ready to go."

The Raiders rank 25th in punt coverage while allowing 10.6 yards a return. They are 21st on kickoffs, allowing an average starting position of 22.6 yards. Janikowski has booted 30 kicks for touchbacks.


(news-herald.com)