- Kelee Ringo leads the gunners: The Philadelphia Eagles cornerback recorded three tackles as a gunner, while Los Angeles Rams gunner Maximus Pulley added two.
- Special teams standouts emerge across units: William Wagner led long snappers with an 84.1 PFF grade, while Cody Lindenberg paced kick return units with a 91.8 grade.
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Each week, I'll bring you a report covering everything you need to know about special teams players across the NFL. This won’t usually focus on kickers, punters and returners, though. Instead, the report will dig deeper into gunners, vice players, snappers and members of the kick return and coverage units. I’ll also include my favorite special teams plays of the week.
Here is the Special Teams Report for Week 4.
Special teams play of the week
With the Chiefs having just taken the lead late in a close game against the Las Vegas Raiders, they kicked off and prepared to try to stop the Raiders on a potential final drive. Instead, they got the ball right back thanks to second-year linebacker Jeffrey Bassa. Bassa beat his block and, with the tackle already secured by multiple teammates, opted to punch the ball loose, giving the Chiefs possession inside the Raiders’ 25-yard line.
THE @Chiefs FORCE THE TURNOVER!@KCvsLV on CBS/Paramount+
— NFL (@NFL) October 4, 2026
Stream on @NFLPluspic.twitter.com/FU4PhguvCa
Gunners
Two players recorded multiple tackles as gunners this week, and they did so in the same game. Kelee Ringo of the Philadelphia Eagles recorded three tackles, while Maximus Pulley of the Los Angeles Rams recorded two. Ringo also missed a tackle as a gunner in the Eagles’ loss to the Rams.
Vice/Jammers
On the other side are the players responsible for slowing down gunners. Among players who were on the field for at least three snaps as a vice/jammer, three recorded a vice win percentage of 33.3% or better.
PlayerTeamVice win percentageShavon RevelDallas Cowboys50.0%Ameer SpeedDallas Cowboys50.0%Cam Taylor-BrittDallas Cowboys33.3%Long snappers
Long snappers earn high grades by limiting inaccurate snaps and recording tackles in punt coverage. Three long snappers earned PFF grades above 70.0 in Week 4.
PlayerTeamPFF gradeWilliam WagnerCincinnati Bengals84.1Rex SunaharaCleveland Browns73.5Austin BrinkmanHouston Texans73.4Wagner did not record an inaccurate snap in the Bengals’ loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars and also recorded a tackle on a punt return.
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 were on the field for at least five kick coverage snaps, 10 earned PFF grades above 80.0.
PlayerTeamPFF gradeJeffrey BassaKansas City Chiefs92.5Troy DyeLos Angeles Chargers92.2Chris BlairAtlanta Falcons86.7Grant StuardLos Angeles Rams86.3Xavier NwankpaKansas City Chiefs84.9D'Marco JacksonChicago Bears84.9Trevor NowaskeDetroit Lions83.8Joe AndreessenBuffalo Bills83.2Luke GiffordSan Francisco 49ers83.1Smael Mondon Jr.Philadelphia Eagles81.9Kick return units
Players earn positive and negative grades as part of kick return units based on how well they block the opposing kick coverage unit. This week, eight players earned PFF grades above 85.0 while playing at least five snaps in the kick return unit.
PlayerTeamPFF gradeCody LindenbergLas Vegas Raiders91.8Travis HomerPittsburgh Steelers88.2Jackson KuwatchCarolina Panthers88.0Justin BarronDallas Cowboys87.8Brevin JordanHouston Texans87.3Jaden HicksKansas City Chiefs86.7Grant StuardLos Angeles Rams86.5Lathan RansomCarolina Panthers86.1