Antonio Brown of the Steelers is off to a hot start in 2011, averaging 31.6 yards per kickoff return and 14.6 yards per punt return. While it looks like special teams ace Kassim Osgood should be back for the Jaguars' Sunday matchup in Pittsburgh, they will still be without Pro Bowl special teamer Montell Owens.
Injuries have hurt the Jaguars coverage units early in the season, with the losses of Osgood, Owens and even Derek Cox hurting. While Cox doesn't play on special teams, William Middleton is a solid contributor that hasn't been playing on special teams because he is filling in for Cox as a starting defender.
Through five games the Jaguars have allowed 25.3 yards per return on kickoffs, making them the NFL's 13th ranked coverage unit, and Josh Scobee has kicked 10 of their 19 kickoffs to touchbacks. More touchbacks and even stronger kick coverage will be very necessary if the Jaguars hope to slow down a Pittsburgh offense that scored on five touchdown passes from Ben Roethlisberger in week five against the Texans.