Aside from Austin, McVay mentioned second-year wideout Pharoh Cooper as a potential returner.

"I think anytime that you're looking at those guys that touch the ball and then if there's somebody in the secondary," McVay said. "I think you mentioned it with Tavon and Pharoh and then depending upon what we do with some of these college free agents, whether it's guys that have done it in their past, they might add themselves into the mix. But right now you feel good about those guys."

So who else currently on Los Angeles' roster has experience returning punts?

Third-round pick Cooper Kupp has plenty, having returned a punt for a touchdown his last three years at Eastern Washington. He averaged 17.0 yards on 25 returns in his college career.

The Rams signed Northwestern State's Shakeir Ryan on Monday after the undrafted rookie apparently impressed in his tryout over the weekend's minicamp. Ryan averaged 10.1 yards per punt return in his senior season and ran a 4.34 40-yard dash at his pro day.

Wide receiver Paul McRoberts averaged 11.6 yards per return and had a 69-yard touchdown in his final season at Southeast Missouri State. Cornerback Aarion Penton returned 15 punts his junior year at Mizzou, including one for a touchdown. And wideout Nelson Spruce also returned 33 punts in his Colorado career.