The Buffalo Bills will not have punter Matt Araiza in the lineup against the Carolina Panthers on Friday. The team is in Charlotte for their third and final preseason game of 2022.
Araiza is in the building at Bank of America Stadium, however, reports indicate he will not play.
That comes after Araiza was named in a civil lawsuit in California on Thursday which accuses him of raping a 17-year-old girl last year while he attended San Diego State.
Without the punter, some might point toward placekicker Tyler Bass as the most likely option to replace Araiza’s duties.
That might not be the case. In fact, he–Case, is among the potential backups.
Prior to kickoff, backup quarterback Case Keenum and safety Micah Hyde were warming up to hold for Bass. In terms of actually kicking the ball?
Here’s where something interesting really begins.
Backup quarterback Matt Barkley was the player that was warming up punting the ball before kickoff.
Buffalo will find out once the game begins who might actually be tossed out there in a punting situation for the Bills. The team could just go for it, but the coaching staff will want to see special teamers preform in the game, too.
Check out videos of Barkley, Keenum and Hyde during warmups below: