Jernigan struggling on returns but shines as receiver

Early in yesterday’s practice there were five players working on catching and returning punts. Jerrel Jernigan was not among them.

The second-year wide receiver had some troubles with ball security last summer, and he seemed to have overcome that in this training camp. But on Friday against the Jaguars he muffed a punt late in the game deep in his own territory and then when the team practiced on Sunday and was working on the skill again he muffed another. That could very well spell the end of Jernigan as a return man, at least for now.

“I feel like I’ll still be in the mix,” Jernigan said this week. “But if coach doesn’t feel that way then I had more than one opportunity back there from the last preseason and this preseason. If he feels like he needs to take me from back there then that’s his decision and I just have to move on.”

Later in practice yesterday, Jernigan was with the punt returners but did not get a live opportunity. That went to Jayron Hosley.

What Jernigan did do was have his best day as a wide receiver in training camp. He made two very smooth catches, one spinning his body around for an outside shoulder grab with Bruce Johnson in coverage and another over-the-shoulder catch on a deep ball down the left sideline from Ryan Perrilloux with Brandon Bing covering. He also managed to catch a pass over the middle that was intended for Rueben Randle but tipped in the air, and there was another catch he made over Prince Amukamara in seven-on-seven drills.

If Jernigan can establish himself as one of the top four receivers on the team, then punt returning becomes an afterthought anyway. But if he can’t, then his biggest impact would likely come on special teams. If the Giants trust him.

What does Jernigan need to show to earn that trust?

“Pretty much just consistency in my catching, making an impact back there, and making some plays,” he said.