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Vikings Using Preseason Games To Decide Punt Returner

With two preseason games left to play before the 2012 campaign opens, the Minnesota Vikings and special teams coach Mike Priefer are still trying to get a clearer picture of their options in the return game.

Currently one of Priefer's most pressing tasks at the moment is to make a final decision on a punt returner, a role that as many as four players had a crack at in last week's game against Buffalo. Jarius Wright, Josh Robinson, Bryan Walters and Marcus Sherels are each firmly in the mix with two huge games left as far as Priefer is concerned, but the second-year coach definitely has a decent grasp of what each guy is capable of.

"The guy I’m most comfortable with would be Marcus, because he’s done it before and he’s very sure-handed," Priefer told The Star Tribune. "Josh has got some juice to him, Walters has been there before, and Jarius is kind of in the developmental stage right now, to be honest with you."

Though it seems that Sherels, a third-year defensive back from the University of Minnesota, is currently the clubhouse leader at the moment, guys like Wright and Robinson each may offer more big-play potential in the end. One huge return over Minnesota's final two exhibition games could ultimately change the momentum however, so this is definitely an interesting positional battle to keep an eye on heading into the opener.

Be sure to stay with this StoryStream for more Vikings preseason coverage, and head over to Daily Norseman for more Vikings news. Also check out SB Nation's NFL hub for more coverage from around the league.

Photographs by Micah Taylor, clairity, and Fibonacci Blue used in background montage under Creative Commons. Thank you.