Seattle Seahawks: Earl Thomas done returning punts

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After one game, Earl Thomas is no longer returning punts for the Seattle Seahawks. Instead, as head coach Pete Carroll said to ESPN.com’s Terry Blount, he will focus on his defensive assignments.

"“I just noticed in the game that he wants to do so well that his focus is challenged,” Carroll said. “I would rather have his focus at safety, so I want to take [punt returning] off him. He’s still available to use when we need him, but we’ll have [wide receiver] Bryan Walters back there.”"

After losing Golden Tate in free agency, the Seahawks decided to give Thomas return duties. It was a controversial decision at the time, some believing Thomas was athletic enough to make an impact and others believing it would be putting the all-pro safety at risk of getting injured.

During the preseason, Thomas returned a punt nearly 60 yards against the Chicago Bears. However, he fumbled a punt in the opening game against the Green Bay Packers. Carroll said Thomas expected the decision to come.

Walters, 26, is in his fourth season but hasn’t returned punts since his rookie year with the San Diego Chargers, when he returned eight punts for 45 yards (5.6 per return).

Having Thomas return punts never made much sense. He is so important to the Seattle defense that risking his health on special teams was short sighted. If the Seahawks truly had no one else able to field kicks, they should have just signed one. It’s a tough job, but not one meant for a standout defensive player like Thomas.