Jones to field punts; no kick returner set

Cornerback Cyrus Jones (Gilman) will be the Ravens’ primary punt returner for Sunday’s season opener, special teams coach Chris Horton said.

“Cyrus is the guy,” Horton said.

As he entered training camp, Jones’ spot on the roster was somewhat uncertain, but it became more secure once slot cornerback Tavon Young suffered a season-ending neck injury. Jones is expected to take snaps at nickel back while retaining his role as a punt returner.

After being signed away from the New England Patriots twice last season, Jones handled punt-return duties and had the fourth-highest average in the NFL (14.4), including a 70-yard touchdown return against the Oakland Raiders.

Rookie wide receiver Marquise “Hollywood” Brown is also still an option to return punts despite muffing two in the team’s preseason finale.

“It wasn’t really a concern,” Horton said of Brown’s ball-security problems. “You put a guy out there in a game situation and we want to see if he can do it. When he put those two balls on the ground, it just told me and told our coaches we just have to continue to practice him back there, continue to get him more reps.

“He’s going to be a guy that I think we can put back there and [he will] give us a little bit of excitement.”

Horton didn’t commit to a kick returner but named multiple options, including wide receiver Chris Moore and rookie running back Justice Hill.

“We’ve got guys we can throw back there,” Horton said. “Chris Moore has done an outstanding job for us. We love what Justice brings. We gave Cyrus some opportunities in the preseason.

“So we’ll go forward and you guys will find out on Sunday.”