Michael Campanaro appears to be the front-runner for the Ravens’ punt return duties

Four months ago, the Ravens drafted Keenan Reynolds with the hope of turning the record-breaking Navy quarterback into a reliable punt returner and receiver. Their decision was based at least in part on Michael Campanaro‘s inability to stay healthy during his first two NFL seasons.

Less than a month from the opening of the 2016 season, Campanaro is staying out of the training room – and more significantly away from the MRI scanner tube – and Reynolds is still trying to make the transition from college to the NFL.

Ravens special teams coordinator and associate head coach Jerry Rosburg said recently that finding a punt return was one of the team’s “big missions” during training camp.

After making a fair catch on his first opportunity and a 21-yard return on his second chance in Saturday’s 19-18 preseason road victory at Indianapolis, it appears Campanaro has taken over as the frontrunner to return punts for the Ravens this season.

But neither Ravens coach John Harbaugh nor Rosburg appear ready to fully commit to a player who has suited up for only 10 games in two years.

“We’re at the same place we were,” Harbaugh said with a cold stare Tuesday when asked if he still considered finding a punt returner a top priority. “Nothing has changed. We have not found our punt returner or kick returner. That’s where we’re at.”

Asked Wednesday whether it was Campanaro’s job to lose, Rosburg said, “Everybody’s got a job to gain. Michael’s out there trying to win the job. It’s not really his job to return. The job belongs to the team. He’s trying to get that job.”

The Ravens have been among the NFL’s top return teams in recent years, finishing third in punt return yardage last season (11.3 average) and in the top 10 overall for kick and punt returns in both 2013 (No. 6) and 2012 (No. 2). Finding a player to match that type of success in training camp has been an issue.

Campanaro, who returned five punts for 66 yards with the Ravens in the past two seasons, said last week that punt returns are his “favorite thing to do playing football.”

Off the field more than on during the first two weeks of training camp, Campanaro finally appears to be benefiting from a new regimen with the strength-and-conditioning coaches that he hopes ensures “all the muscles are firing the right way.”

He acknowledged Tuesday that it could be his job to lose, though he knows a decision has not been made.

“I’m just going out and trying to catch every punt, field every ball and make smart decisions,” he said. “It is a competition until the end of the preseason. I definitely feel like I’m making smart decisions out there. I feel extremely comfortable back there catching punts and making the right reads. I feel comfortable in our scheme. I’m definitely looking forward to getting another crack at some returns this game coming up.”

Rosburg said last week he could also use either safety Lardarius Webb or even receiver Steve Smith Sr. at punt returner.

But it’s the younger guys who are eager for opportunities to return punts, a task that could help them make the team.

Reynolds appeared on the verge of fumbling his first punt return before a penalty on the Carolina Panthers bailed him out in the preseason opener. He did not get on the field as a returner against the Colts.

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Still, Reynolds impressed Rosburg by making two tackles – his first two since youth football – as a gunner on punt returns.

“He was aggressive downfield in coverage,” Rosburg said. “Our returners need to do something more than just be returners and he demonstrated that. He’s improving in his catching skills. I know he can run the ball. He continues to develop. Positive progress.”

Rosburgh wasn’t surprised to see the 5-foot-10, 190-pound Reynolds throwing his body around on punt returns.

“He’s America’s finest, in my view, Rosburg said. “You see him in the meetings, you see him on the field, he’s doing everything he can to get good at a lot of things. We’re practicing him at a lot of places…Every day is a challenge. He shows up every day and goes to work. He’s got to find a place, we’ve got to find a place for him so in the games he’s ready to roll.”

Reynolds admits that switching positions and essentially starting over has not been easy for a player who started his first high school game at quarterback and came in four games into his freshman year at Navy to secure a position he never relinquished.

Reynolds didn’t expect the transition to be smooth, even after working out with former college quarterback-turned NFL return specialist and running back Brian Mitchell for several months before and after being drafted by the Ravens.

While the Ravens will continue to look for their returner when they play the Detroit Lions on Saturday at M&T Bank Stadium, Harbaugh appears to be leaning toward Campanaro.

“He’s a secure catcher, for sure,” Harbaugh said. “He hasn’t done it much. It’s not like he’s a seasoned veteran at punt returner. He still has a lot of reps to get under his belt to be considered one of those kinds of guys. But he’s a secure, solid catcher – fundamentally sound – and he can get the ball upfield. He has some quickness. At this point in time, of all our young guys, he’s our best guy.”

don.markus@baltsun.com

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