NFL Special Teams Report: Week 2

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Each week through the 2026 NFL season, I'll be taking a closer look at the special teams players making an impact around the NFL.

But this won’t just be about the kickers, punters and returners who typically get the attention. We’ll dig deeper into the players who can decide games without touching the ball, from gunners and vices to snappers and members of the kick return and coverage units. I’ll also highlight my favorite special teams plays of the week.

Here is the Special Teams Report for Week 2.

Special teams play of the week

My favorite special teams play came from the Arizona Cardinals for the second straight week, but this time it somehow ended with a negative outcome for them. Elijah Higgins lined up as the L4 on the kick coverage unit, did a great job shedding his blocker and forced a fumble. The loose ball fell to Seahawks linebacker Chazz Surratt, though, and he promptly returned it 35 yards to set Seattle up in Cardinals territory.

Comically unfortunate outcome on the play, but this was one of my favorite special teams reps of the week from Elijah Higgins (L4 – fourth from the right). Great shed of the block and then forces the fumble. pic.twitter.com/pOJsZwo4U0

— Gordon McGuinness (@GordonNFL) September 23, 2026

Gunners

Only two players in the NFL recorded multiple tackles as gunners this week: Robert Spears-Jennings of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Rayuan Lane III of the Jacksonville Jaguars. Both of Lane’s tackles came against a double vise, while Spears-Jennings won against single blocks.

Vise/Jammers

On the opposite side are the players responsible for slowing down gunners. Three players who were on the field for at least three snaps as a vise/jammer recorded a Vise Win Percentage of 37.5% or better.

PlayerTeamVise Win PercentageGeorge OdumHouston Texans100.0%Davison IgbinosunBuffalo Bills75.0%Tremon SmithHouston Texans37.5%

On two of their respective wins, Odum and Smith teamed up on a double-team for the Texans.

Long snappers

Long snappers earn high grades by limiting bad snaps and recording tackles in punt coverage. Only one long snapper earned a PFF grade above 70.0 in Week 2: Hogan Hatten of the Detroit Lions. He finished with a 72.4 PFF grade after recording no inaccurate snaps and making a tackle on a punt, though he was also downgraded for a missed tackle on another play.

Kick coverage units

Players can earn high grades on kick coverage units by making tackles and defeating blocks to influence kick returners. Among players who logged at least five snaps on kick coverage units, nine earned PFF grades above 75.0.

PlayerTeamPFF GradeCaleb DownsDallas Cowboys92.1Evan WilliamsGreen Bay Packers79.2KhaDarel HodgeSan Francisco 49ers78.7CJ DonaldsonNew Orleans Saints76.9Adam PrenticeDenver Broncos76.8Ashtyn DavisSan Francisco 49ers76.1Omar SpeightsLos Angeles Rams76.0David WalkerTampa Bay Buccaneers75.6Danny StutsmanNew Orleans Saints75.5

Kick return units

Players earn positive and negative grades on kick return units based on how well they block the kick coverage unit. This week, nine players earned PFF grades above 85.0 while logging at least five snaps on the kick return unit.

PlayerTeamPFF GradeQwan’tez StiggersNew York Jets90.3Quintin MorrisJacksonville Jaguars90.2Jeffrey BassaKansas City Chiefs90.0Marlowe WaxLos Angeles Chargers90.0Mo Alie-CoxIndianapolis Colts89.8Travis HomerPittsburgh Steelers89.7Laquon TreadwellIndianapolis Colts88.5Robert Beal Jr.Miami Dolphins88.2Jack SawyerPittsburgh Steelers85.3