Lions training camp: Eight players get chance to return punts

One of the most intriguing training camp battles for the Detroit Lions this year involves the return job. It's so intriguing because there are so many different players in the mix in this competition. We got proof of that on Friday when training camp opened, as the Lions had eight different guys returning punts.

According to Chris McCosky, the eight players returned punts in this order: RB Steven Miller, WR Micheal Spurlock, WR Ryan Broyles, RB Reggie Bush, WR Mike Thomas, WR Terrence Austin, WR Cody Wilson and WR Patrick Edwards.

We know that Bush and Broyles will be on the 53-man roster, and it's entirely possible their time on the punt return unit will be strictly situational. The other guys are all fighting to simply make the team, though, and winning the return job would go a long way in helping them survive the roster cuts at the end of August.

Speaking of punts, Justin Rogers had this to say after watching Sam Martin and Blake Clingan on Friday:

Yeah, i'm calling it two punts in to training camp. Sam Martin will be the Lions punter.

— Justin Rogers (@Justin_Rogers) July 26, 2013

It's good to hear that Martin is already emerging in the battle for the starting punter job considering the Lions used a fifth-round draft pick on him.

More from Pride Of Detroit:

• Lions training camp: Notes on defense from Day 1
• Lions training camp: Ziggy Ansah suffers minor ankle injury
• Lions training camp: Notes on offense from Day 1
• Lions training camp: Louis Delmas practices on limited basis
• Lions kick off training camp 2013