KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Jeremy Maclin was in a line of punt returners at Kansas City Chiefs practice on Thursday and taking his turn shagging kicks from Dustin Colquitt.

It’s intriguing to think about, Maclin as a punt returner. He was a standout punt returner in college at Missouri and did some returning, without great results, during his first three NFL seasons playing for Andy Reid with the Philadelphia Eagles.

But don’t look for the Chiefs to utilize Maclin as a return specialist during a game. They have $55 million invested in Maclin over the next five seasons to energize their passing game as a wide receiver.

They also have some other very capable return specialists, including De'Anthony Thomas. He finished third last season as a rookie in punt return average at 11.9 yards.

Then again, injuries to Thomas and others could lead the Chiefs to have Maclin return some kicks if he’s needed.

“We just want to make sure he is ready,’’ Reid said. “You have limited numbers that you can dress on game day, so you don’t know what rotation you are going to have there with the receivers and returners. So it gives you an opportunity to keep him fresh. We don’t work him every day like the other guys. It’s kind of an every other day deal, so just to make sure that he’s okay and can still do that, but he’s not going to be the primary guy doing it right now.”