The Indianapolis Colts have placed Adam Vinatieri on season-ending injured reserve with a left knee injury, according
to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
The 46-year old will reportedly have surgery to repair his ailing knee that’s been causing discomfort throughout the season.
The injury had led to the worst kicking season in his career, with an NFL-leading 14 missed kicks this season. It’s not the way we want to remember the NFL’s all-time leading scorer (2,673 points) and perhaps the greatest placekicker in league history is over.
From Week 3 to Week 8, he made 11 of his 12 extra points and 10 of his next 12 field goals, including a 45-yard game-winner against the Denver Broncos.
Colts head coach Frank Reich said last week Vinatieri’s knee flared up during practice and pregame warmups Sunday leading into the Titans game, but he “gutted it out.”
However, the team medical personnel decided it was in his best interest to call it a season.
The Colts now turn to Chase McLaughin.
The team claimed the 23-year-old rookie from Cypress, Texas off waivers from the San Francisco 49ers last week and he booted 5-of-6 kicks through the upright during Sunday’s 38-35 loss in Tampa.
If this was his last season in the NFL, we’ll all remember the memorable kicks he made in his five Super Bowl appearances and 29 game-winning kicks.