It's no secret Alabama's punt return situation has been problematic this fall.

Aside from the muffs and fumbles, it just hasn't been as explosive as in recent years. This is a special team unit that scored four touchdowns last season and five in 2015. Currently ranked 66th nationally averaging 7.3 yards a return, the Crimson Tide doesn't have a return longer than 21 yards.

Its All-American safety has a suggestion.

"Just put me back there, coach," junior Minkah Fitzpatrick said is his simple pitch to Nick Saban. "That's it. Trust me."

Among the top defensive players in the nation, Fitzpatrick said he'd "love" to get a shot to return a punt. He just hasn't had a shot with this aspect of special teams -- at least not in games.

"I worked there every week just taking some reps," Fitzpatrick said. "I don't take a whole lot of reps, but last week I took even more reps than usual."

Trevon Diggs has 10 of the 24 returns followed by Henry Ruggs III with eight. Xavian Marks had five and was the primary returner in the last game against Tennessee.

Fitzpatrick returned an onside kick 39 yards at Texas A&M, though Saban later said he should have taken a knee instead of risking a turnover in that late-game scenario.

The Old Bridge, N.J. product isn't a stranger to running with the ball. He's returned nine interceptions in his career, four of which went for touchdowns. Fitzpatrick also has a blocked punt touchdown from the win at Georgia in 2015.

More than anything, it's a decision that weighs the risk of putting the defense's most valuable member at risk of injury at a vulnerable position. Last year, starting safety Eddie Jackson's season ended with a broken leg returning a punt against Texas A&M.

"Not something that (Fitzpatrick's) done since he's been here, but I think he's very capable of doing," Saban said last week. "I think what we'll do at that position is evaluate this week. All three guys are very capable. Trevon Diggs did a good job of doing it for a long time. Ruggs is very explosive.

But the thing about it is is when guys sort of don't have success, what is their confidence level? How comfortable are they? Judgment is really important and ball security is important."

Michael Casagrande is an Alabama beat writer for the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @ByCasagrande.