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Ravens WR Devin Duvernay returns opening kickoff for 103-yard touchdown against Dolphins

jaylon thompson, usa today
·2 min read
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Baltimore Ravens receiver Devin Duvernay didn’t waste any time Sunday against the Miami Dolphins.

The All-Pro return specialist scored a 103-yard touchdown on the opening kickoff. He evaded multiple Dolphins defenders as he sprinted down the sideline for his second career kickoff return touchdown.

According to Next Gen Stats, Duvernay reached a top speed of 21.60 miles per hour. It registered as the fastest speed by an NFL ball-carrier this season.

This year, Duvernay has expanded his role within the Ravens’ offense. He hauled in four catches for 54 yards against the Jets, including two touchdowns. His longest reception was a 25-yard pass from Ravens star quarterback Lamar Jackson.

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Duvernay is averaging 25.6 yards per kick return in his career. He made the Pro Bowl last season after leading the league in punt return yardage.

Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said the team wants to Duvernay to build on his breakout performance.

"Devin made the two plays and (Rashod Bateman) made the one play," Harbaugh said this week. "Those were three big touchdown passes right there that turned the game.

"It's something that I think they were visualizing happening for them in the first game, for them to kind of break through in the first game and make those plays, it's a confidence shot in the arm. So, we just have to keep building on it."

Message received. Duvernay is the first NFL player since 1962 to have multiple receiving touchdowns and a kick return touchdown in the first two weeks of the season. The last player to do it was Pro Football Hall of Famer Bobby Mitchell.

Duvernay finished with two receptions for 42 yards in the Ravens' 42-38 loss to the Dolphins.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Baltimore Ravens Devin Duvernay returns opening kickoff for touchdown