With the changes to the Houston Texans’ wide receiver room with the Marvin Harrison Jr trade and Tank Dell now coming back, the Texans have taken to using Jaylin Noel more on special teams than on offense.
He has excelled this season as a kick and punt returner and that was on display during Houston’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in London. While he only had two yards on his only punt return of the game, Noel averaged 32.5 yards per kick return. Special teams coordinator Frank Ross has been pleased with Noel’s continued improvement and how much of a weapon he is on special teams.
“Awesome. It's always been in there. I've told you guys this. I've told the team this in front of him. He is different. He is special. Strain your freaking tails
off because he can make things happen,” Ross said. “Now you're starting to see, you guys know this with watching NFL players, professional athletes across the board, confidence can do wonders for you. Sometimes even a little bit of fake confidence gets whoever that person is to their next level. Then you start making those plays. I was surprised he made that go ball after running that kick return back to the 30-some-yard line. Then he goes out and the next play, he's going deep. He's a weapon. I'm very fired up for him. I'm very proud of him and want to see his confidence continue to shine.”
Playing the New York Giants this Sunday should be a good challenge for Noel, as they only allow an average of 10.1 yards per punt return and 25.2 yards per kick return. Noel is averaging 8.2 yards per punt return and 26.8 yards per kick return so far this season.
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Texans STC Frank Ross on Jaylin Noel's improvement in return game
