Josh Gordon Could Return Punts for the Patriots Against Redskins

The Patriots seem to be looking outside of the box to help solve their woes in the punt returning game heading into their Week 5 matchup against the Washington Redskins.

Standout wide receiver Josh Gordon was returning punts for New England during warmups. While it hasn't necessarily been their biggest weakness to start the year, rookie return man Gunner Olszewski hasn't exactly inspired much confidence.

Phillip Dorsett was also apparently involved.

Special teams has always been one of the most fundamentally sound aspects of the Patriots. But, with Julian Edelman continuously struggling with injury, they've had to turn to alternate options, none of whom have impressed.

It's an intriguing move to say the least. Gordon, Brady's second-most targeted receiver this year, hasn't returned a single punt since he was drafted in the 2012 supplemental draft. Considering how precarious the Patriots' receiver situation is this year, now seems like a strange time to workout both him and Dorsett in the return game. There's always a heightened injury risk with punt returns.

With that being said, he could provide some electric tackle-shedding ability as a punt returner. He's broken three tackles so far this year, and his 6-3, 225-pound frame could give him a size advantage that most punt returners lack to power through tacklers.

Perhaps Gordon could become the electric punt returner that New England needs to turn their one true weaknesses into yet another strength.