A month ago, former Notre Dame punter Tyler Newsome was let go by the Kansas City Chiefs. Now, he’s getting another chance to make it in the NFL. The Athletic’s Jeff Howe tweeted this out Tuesday:
The Patriots are working out former Notre Dame punter Tyler Newsome, who can also handle kickoffs and has field-goal capabilities. He could be viewed as a practice squad candidate.
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) September 1, 2020
Newsome was one of three punters brought into New England’s camp Tuesday. Among them was 2017 Green Bay Packers punter Justin Vogel. The Patriots also worked out two long snappers.
Newsome and the others obviously are auditioning to be the guy in the wings in case something happens to second-year punter Jake Bailey, who was named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week twice as a rookie. Also in 2019, Bailey had the second-most punts in the NFL (81) and the third-most punting yards in the AFC (3,638). He’d have to significantly regress or get injured for Newsome to make the 53-man roster.
It’s about time for the Irish’s all-time leading punter to make an active NFL roster. If it doesn’t happen in New England, someone else better pick up the phone. There will be needs on other teams as their regular punters drop off somehow. Hopefully, Newsome is on everyone’s list.