FWST BLOG: Felix might not return kickoffs

One of the things the Cowboys talked about when they drafted running back Felix Jones was his kick return skills as well as his ability to make plays out of the backfield. Jones finished his college career as the ninth ranked kickoff returner in NCAA history with a 28.2 yards per return average.

Well, Jones has been everything the Cowboys thought he was as a running back. He gives them a nice big big play option as a pass receiver or taking a simple toss _ so much so that they plan to use him more and more in the offense.

But as his role gets expanded on offense, the possibility of the Cowboys using Jones as a kickoff returner might diminish because of the chance of injuries.

Coach Wade Phillips said it helps that the Cowboys have other capable returners in receiver Isaiah Stanback and cornerback Orlando Scandrick.

"I think it’s factual there are more injuries on kickoff than any other phase of the game, not that returners are always getting hurt," Phillips said. " If he becomes a really important part of our offense it’s whether you want to or not. It’s again a fine line there, whether that’s one kick return … You’re hoping you’re the team kicking off all the time and not the one receiving. We’d like to be in that shape, so we don’t have to rely on him returning kickoffs for us to win."