Tag: kicker

Report: Chiefs are placing K Harrison Butker on injured reserve

Kansas City #Chiefs are reportedly placing kicker Harrison Butker on injured reserve | @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs will be without another key player for an extended period due to injury.

According to a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Chiefs are signing kicker Spencer Shrader off the New York Jets practice squad and placing kicker Harrison Butker on injured reserve due to a knee injury. Butker, who initially wasn’t on the radar of any significant injury concerns earlier in the week, was announced as limited in Thursday’s practice with a left knee injury.

The veteran kicker will miss at least the next four games due to the injured reserve designation. Through nine regular-season games, Butker has connected 18-for-20 on field-goal attempts and 21-for-22 on extra-point tries. He notably had an uncharacteristic moment in the fourth quarter of the Week 10 victory over the Denver Broncos, pushing the kickoff out of bounds, giving the opponents excellent field position for the final drive.

The Chiefs are reportedly adding kicker Shrader from the Jets practice squad; he played in New York’s Week 10 game against the Arizona Cardinals, connecting on both field-goal attempts. He was relegated to the practice squad after regular Jets starter Greg Zuerlein was cleared to return from injured reserve.

Chris Boswell discusses confident kicking with Ben Roethlisberger

Steelers’ K Chris Boswell discussed his growth and confidence as a kicker on Ben Roethlisberger’s podcast, sharing insights from his career.

Chris Boswell, AKA the Wizard of Boz, is regarded as one of the greatest kickers the NFL has ever seen. While Boswell is seemingly automatic and comfortable attempting any kick from any distance, it wasn’t always this way for the Pittsburgh Steelers star.

Making an appearance on the latest episode of Ben Roethlisberger’s podcast, Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger, co-host Spencer Te’o asked Boswell when kicking became automatic.

Boswell humbly stated, “I think, you know, the more years I put into it, kinda, the more confidence I put in myself in that situation. It definitely didn’t start like that. I definitely worried about holds, worried about snaps, worried about wind, stuff like that. And then I’ve just gotten to the point where I don’t even think about anything anymore.”

While Boswell’s hard work and dedication speak for themselves, Big Ben added that Boswell always holds himself accountable, stating, “I’ve never heard this guy make an excuse.”

Throughout his storied career in Pittsburgh, Boswell’s performance has made him a fan favorite in the Steel City, and his wise words on growth and confidence speak volumes about his character as a whole.

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Broncos kicker Wil Lutz reacts to blocked field goal vs. Chiefs

“I’ve been a part of some tough losses and this probably takes the cake,” Wil Lutz said after the Broncos lost to the Chiefs on Sunday.

The Denver Broncos lined up for a 35-yard field goal attempt on the final play of Sunday’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs with a chance for Wil Lutz to kick a game-winning field goal.

The kick was blocked and the Broncos lost 16-14.

After the game, Lutz addressed media members in the locker room.

“I’ve been in a lot of tough games,” Lutz said. “I’ve lost games in tough ways and that one’s up there. So hopefully we can learn from it and be able to finish off the next one.”

Lutz also had a 60-yard field goal attempt fall just short right before halftime. Going into Sunday’s game, the Broncos were 9-of-9 on field goal attempts within 40 yards, as the Denver Post‘s Parker Gabriel pointed out on X. Being perfect before the block is no consolation for Lutz.

“Nothing will make you feel better about this situation,” Lutz said. “Like I said, I’ve been a part of some tough losses and this probably takes the cake in recent memory. At the end of the day, two opportunities and two misses.”

Broncos offensive lineman Alex Forsyth was driven back on the play, leading to the block. He took responsibility after the game.

“I have to be stouter,” Forsyth told Gabriel. “They had four guys on that side. But it didn’t surprise us. I have to be stouter.”

With the loss, Denver dropped to 5-5. Up next for the Broncos is a home game against the Atlanta Falcons (6-4) next week.

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Bills back kicker Tyler Bass with latest roster move

Bills back kicker Tyler Bass with latest roster move

The Buffalo Bills showed they still have faith in kicker Tyler Bass.

The team announced on Thursday that they have released kicker Lucas Havrisik from the practice squad. Havrisik was brought in to compete with Bass in practice just two weeks ago. It turns out there wasn’t much of a competition.

In nine career games in the NFL (all in 2023), Havrisik is a 75% percent kicker, having connected on 15-of-20 field goal attempts. He is also 19-of-22 on extra points. Not ideal numbers to start his career.

So, for now at least, Bass remains the guy for the Bills.

So far in 2024, Bass has made 12-of-15 field goals (80%) which is good for 30th in the NFL. He is 26-of-28 on extra points (92.9%) which ranks 32nd.

With the open spot on the practice squad after the release of Havrisik, the team brought back wide receiver Deon Cain.

Cain rejoins the Bills after being released from the team this preseason. He appeared in 15 games across 2019 and 2020 and has just nine career catches.

Learn more about Cain below: 

Steelers’ K Chris Boswell named AFC Special Teams Player of the Month

Steelers’ K Chris Boswell has been named the AFC Special Teams Player of the Month for his elite play in October.

The ‘Wizard of Boz’ strikes again!  Pittsburgh Steelers’ kicker Chris Boswell has been named the AFC Special Teams Player of the Month in back-to-back months for his excellent performance and contribution to his team’s 6-2 record. The NFL announced Boswell’s accomplishment on Thursday morning, and this award is well-deserved.

This is now the third time Boswell has earned the illustrious AFC Special Teams Play of the Month award, with his first selection dating all the way back in December/January of the 2015 season, and his second selection being last month in September of the 2024 season. Boswell has kicked with an impressive 89.0% accuracy on his field goal attempts, hitting on 254 out of 289.

Steelers fans, including myself, are truly lucky to be able to witness arguably one of the greatest kickers of all-time tearing it up for the Pittsburgh Steelers on any given Sunday.  Can Boswell do the unthinkable and earn three consecutive AFC Special Teams Player of the Month awards?

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Two-time SB Champion returns to Pittsburgh in Week 8

Two-time Super Bowl champion and one of the greatest Steelers’ kickers of all-time, Jeff Reed, is attending the Steelers’ Week 8 contest.

Fans of the 2000’s Pittsburgh Steelers rejoice!  Two-time Super Bowl champion, third-all time Steelers’ leading scorer, and one of the greatest kickers in Pittsburgh history, Jeff Reed, is attending his former team’s Week 8 contest against the New York Giants.

Reed belonged to the Super Bowl XL and Super Bowl XLIII championship teams, assisting in bringing the Steelers’ last two Lombardi trophies to Pittsburgh, with 12 points off his right foot in these games.

Reed will follow in the footsteps of former Steelers’ All-Pro players, WR Antonio Brown and RB Le’Veon Bell, who also attended Pittsburgh games this season, as well as making their appearances at the Terrible Tailgate before the game.

 

Pittsburgh has enjoyed having some of the greatest kickers the NFL has ever seen on their rosters, and it is heartwarming to say the least when former Steelers players reunite with their team and fans.

Keep an eye out for Steelers’ legend and two-time Super Bowl kicker Jeff Reed at not only the Terrible Tailgate on October 28th at 3:30 PM EST, but the Monday Night Football game at 8:15 PM EST as well.

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Wisconsin K Nathanial Vakos sets program record with 50-yard FG vs. Penn State

Wisconsin K Nathanial Vakos sets program record with 50-yard FG vs. Penn State

Wisconsin kicker Nathanial Vakos set a program record for the most 50-plus-yard field goals with his 50-yard make to open the Badgers’ Week 9 contest against No. 3 Penn State.

The long-distance make is Vakos’ fourth from beyond 50 yards since taking over as Wisconsin’s kicker in 2023. According to the NBC broadcast, that sets a program record.

The former Ohio transfer is 22/30 (73%) on field goal attempts in his year-and-a-half as the Badgers’ starting kicker. Specifically, those totals include 1/1 from inside 20 yards, 6/6 from 20-29 yards, 8/10 from 30-39, 3/6 from 40-49 and 4/7 from 50-plus.

Vakos’ long-distance make is great news for the Badgers’ chances after his relative struggles to begin the 2024 season. He was nearly flawless in 2023, going 14/15 from inside 50 yards. Those numbers have regressed a bit to begin 2024, though are sure to be helped by his long make against Penn State.

His current standing on Wisconsin’s other all-time kicker leaderboards include No. 6 in field goals made (22), No. 7 in points (125) and No. 5 in field goal percentage (73%). Rafael Gaglianone (2014-18) leads the program in nearly everything, and was tied with Vakos at three 50-plus-yard-field-goal-makes entering Saturday.

Wisconsin currently trails top-ranked Penn State 7-3 early in the second quarter. Vakos and the Badgers are looking for a defining victory to entering longshot contention for the Big Ten title and expanded College Football Playoff.

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes, and opinion.

Tyler Bass on support from Bills Mafia: ‘It really made me happy’

Tyler Bass on support from Bills Mafia: ‘It really made me happy’

Buffalo Bills kicker Tyler Bass hasn’t had a year to write home about. It’s been largely inconsistent.

But through it all, Bills fans have still shown their support.

Bass expressed his pleasure with the home crowd after his perfect day in Week 7 when he made both field goal attempts and all four extra points in a 34-10 win over the Tennessee Titans.

It wasn’t just after making a kick that Bass felt the support. It was long before the game even started.

“When I got out there for pregame, man, there was a lot of love,” Bass said. “It was super cool to see. The true fans really love you unconditionally. And that made me really happy. They were there for me and have always been there for me.”

The bounce-back game from Bass came just a few days removed from head coach Sean McDermott saying he was “concerned” with his kicker. Bass’ inconsistencies have led to the Bills recently working out free-agent kickers and even signing one to the practice squad.

Although his longest on the day was only 30 yards, Bass did his job and he now has something to build off of. If Bass continues to kick like he did in Week 7, he won’t have anything to worry about.

The perfect game gave Bass a boost in his kicking stats. He now has made 11 of 14 field goal attempts (78.6%), which ranks 25th in the NFL.

Bass’s full comments can be found in the WGRZ-TV clip below:

2-ex Broncos won their first starts with new teams on Sunday

Russell Wilson won his first start for the Steelers and Brandon McManus kicked a game-winning field goal for the Packers days after signing.

A pair of Denver Broncos players won their first starts with their new clubs on Sunday.

Ex-Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson got the nod for the Pittsburgh Steelers, replacing Justin Fields in the lineup. Wilson went 16-of-29 passing for 264 yards with two touchdown passes and no turnovers. He also rushed for a touchdown and was only sacked once as the Steelers defeated the New York Jets 37-15 at home.

Following that performance, Wilson is probably locked in as the Steelers’ starter going forward. Wilson, 35, was benched by Denver coach Sean Payton with two games remaining last season. The Broncos then cut Wilson in March and he quickly landed in Pittsburgh.

Another ex-Denver player, kicker Brandon McManus, won his first game with the Green Bay Packers on Sunday. After signing with the Packers last Tuesday, McManus kicked a 45-yard game-winning field goal to seal a 24-22 victory over the Houston Texans on Sunday.

McManus, 33, played for the Broncos from 2014-2022, helping the team win Super Bowl 50 following the 2015 season. After being cut by Payton last year, McManus spent last season with the Jacksonville Jaguars. He joined the Washington Commanders this spring but was cut after being accused of sexual assault. After the NFL said there was insufficient evidence to discipline McManus for the allegations, he signed with the Packers.

A third ex-Denver player, quarterback Drew Lock, got garbage time minutes against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday after the New York Giants took out Daniel Jones in the fourth quarter. Lock went 3-of-8 passing for six yards and was sacked once in New York’s 28-3 loss to Philly. Lock also rushed once for 13 yards and fumbled twice.

When the Broncos host the Carolina Panthers in Week 8, they will welcome back former defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero, defensive lineman DeShawn Williams and linebacker Josey Jewell.

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Wil Lutz had a perfect response after being booed by Saints fans

Saints fans booed their former kicker during ‘Thursday Night Football.’ Wil Lutz had a perfect response after the game.

Sean Payton wasn’t the only one who faced his former team when the Denver Broncos took on the New Orleans Saints on Thursday night.

Payton’s staff includes 14 coaches/personnel members plus eight players who used to work for the Saints, including kicker Wil Lutz.

Lutz was called into action four times for field goal attempts at the Caesars Superdome and fans in New Orleans welcomed him back to the stadium with loud boos. That didn’t stop Lutz from going a perfect 4-of-4 on FG attempts.

Lutz, 30, played for the Saints from 2016-2022 before being traded to the Broncos ahead of the 2023 season. The decision to boo him was a curious one.

Lutz finished the game perfect on field goal attempts and 3-of-3 on extra point attempts, giving him 15 points in a 33-10 victory.

After the game, Lutz had a perfect response to the booing.

“Ehh, I think we know who was getting booed out the building 🤣,” Lutz tweeted. “All love WhoDatNation 🖤”

Lutz is now 17-of-18 on field goal attempts this season and 12-of-12 on extra point attempts. He has accounted for 63 of Denver’s 145 points in 2024.

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