Tag: Ramiz Ahmed

Commanders sign WR Martavis Bryant, release one of their kickers

The Commanders sign Bryant and move on from one of their kickers.

On Monday, it was revealed that the Washington Commanders were bringing in wide receiver Martavis Bryant for a workout. This was the second time in three months that Washington had hosted Bryant.

On Tuesday morning, the Commanders announced they had signed Bryant. To make room for him, Washington released kicker Ramiz Ahmed.

Bryant, 32, hasn’t played in an NFL game since 2018 with the Raiders. A Pittsburgh Steelers selected Bryant in the second round of the 2014 NFL draft out of Clemson, and he once looked like he was ticketed for stardom. However, multiple suspensions led him away from the NFL.

After over two years out of football, Bryant signed with the CFL’s Toronto Argonauts in 2021. He was placed on the suspended list for failing to report and never played for Toronto. Bryant signed with the Massachusetts Pirates of the Indoor Football League that same year.

In 2022, he signed with the CFL’s Edmonton Elks but was released before training camp. He then signed with the Fan Controlled Football League.

In 2023, Bryant was selected No. 5 overall by the Vegas Vipers in the XFL draft, where he would play in eight games, catching 14 passes for 154 yards. The Vipers released him later so Bryant could sign with the Dallas Cowboys’ practice squad. He did not play in a game for Dallas last season and was signed to a reserve/future contract in January but released in May.

Ahmed signed with the Commanders in June after they released veteran kicker Brandon McManus. He spent the 2023 season with the Green Bay Packers, going back and forth between the main roster and the practice squad.

That leaves Washington with Riley Patterson at kicker. Both have struggled in training camp, but Patterson now has the rest of the preseason to impress Washington and earn the job.

Commanders claim kicker Riley Patterson off waivers

The Commanders claimed 24-year-old Riley Patterson off waivers.

Have the Washington Commanders found themselves a kicker? On Wednesday, the Commanders claimed kicker Riley Patterson off waivers.

The addition of Patterson gives Washington two kickers in training camp, as he joins Ramiz Ahmed in a competition to be the kicker in 2024.

Patterson, 24, was waived by the Jacksonville Jaguars on Monday after signing with them in February. It was Patterson’s second stint in Jacksonville.

After a standout career at Memphis, Patterson signed with the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2021. He was released with an injury settlement that summer. Patterson signed with the New England’s practice squad in October, and in November, the Lions signed him off the Patriots’ practice squad.

Patterson enjoyed some success with the Lions, even winning the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week award once. The Lions waived him during final cuts the following summer.

The Jaguars claimed Patterson off waivers, and he spent the entire 2022 season as their kicker. Patterson made 30 of his 35 field-goal attempts that season and 36 of his 37 point-after attempts. Jacksonville traded Patterson back to Detroit after it signed Brandon McManus, coincidentally enough.

If you recall, the Commanders signed McManus in March but released him this summer due to sexual assault allegations.

The Lions waived Patterson in December 2023 and he was claimed by the Cleveland Browns for the remainder of last season.

For his career, Patterson has kicked in 39 games, making 59 of 67 attempts (88.1%) and 93 of 97 PATs (95.9%). He has made three of his six field goals from 50 yards or more and has a 47% touchback rate.

Patterson is young, and kickers don’t often stick until they’ve bounced around a bit. That’s certainly what the Commanders are hoping. Ahmed has been shaky through the first week of training camp.

Commanders to bring in UFL standout kicker Jake Bates for a tryout

Jake Bates is visiting Washington.

When the Washington Commanders released veteran kicker Brandon McManus last week, fans immediately began clamoring for UFL kicker Jake Bates. However, with Bates’ UFL team in the playoffs, he was unable to sign last week.

The Michigan Panthers, for whom Bates kicked, lost over the weekend, meaning Bates was free to visit NFL teams. According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 in Houston, multiple NFL teams are lining up visits with Bates.

The Commanders are one of those teams, along with the Detroit Lions, Baltimore Ravens, and Green Bay Packers, who have also requested to visit with Bates.

Washington signed kicker Ramiz Ahmed last week and hosted at least two other UFL kickers, Andre Szmyt and Matt McCrane, for tryouts. The Commanders begin their three-day mandatory minicamp Tuesday.

The Commanders will likely sign one of the kickers and keep two for a competition in training camp, which begins late next month.

Bates made a name for himself this spring when he kicked a 64-yard game-winner — the longest in UFL history — and had one game in which he made two kicks of over 60 yards. He was named to the All-UFL team last week.

Bates, 24, spent part of training camp with the Houston Texans in 2023.

Per ESPN’s John Keim, Bates’ visit is on Tuesday.

Commanders work out XFL kicker Andre Szmyt, others

The Commanders also brought in D.C. Defenders kicker Matt McCrane.

The Washington Commanders released veteran kicker Brandon McManus last week before their final week of Organized Training Activities (OTAs). McManus faced allegations of sexual assault from his time with the Jacksonville Jaguars last year.

Washington signed Ramiz Ahmed last week, giving the team a kicker ahead of its final week of OTAs. Ahmed, 29, kicked collegiately at Nevada and spent some time with the Bears and Packers. He never attempted a field goal or extra point in a game. Ahmed also spent time in the UFL this spring with the Birmingham Stallions.

Now, the Commanders are looking to give Ahmed some competition.

Washington brought in another former UFL kicker, Andre Szmyt, for a workout on Tuesday morning before it begins its three day mandatory minicamp.

Szmyt, 25, kicked collegiately at Syracuse, where he won the Lou Groza Award and was a unanimous All-American in 2018. He signed with the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent in 2023 but did not make the roster. Szmyt spent this spring with the St. Louis Battlehawks, where he was excellent, making 19 of his 21 field goal attempts. He had a long of 61 yards and was four of five from 50 yards and beyond.

Washington also brought in D.C. Defenders kicker Matt McCrane for a workout.

McCrane spent the past two seasons with the Defenders and has quietly been outstanding. He played college football at Kansas State and has spent time with the Cardinals, Raiders, Steelers, Browns and Eagles, mostly on the offseason rosters. He has attempted 12 NFL field goals, making eight of them.

In a game this April, McCrane hit field goals from 58, 54 and 49 yards in a Defenders’ win.

Commanders coach Dan Quinn talks allegations against former kicker Brandon McManus

Quinn discussed McManus and the new kicker.

The Washington Commanders had their first open OTA practice in two weeks, the first time since they released veteran kicker Brandon McManus. News of a lawsuit against McManus, accusing him of sexual assault in an incident that occurred in September while he played for the Jaguars, emerged on Monday, May 27.

The Commanders released a short statement after the news broke. Earlier this week, Washington made the expected move to release McManus.

Here’s Washington’s initial statement on the allegations against McManus:

Earlier today, we were made aware of the civil lawsuit filed on May 24 against Brandon McManus. We take allegations of this nature very seriously and are looking into the matter. We have been in communication with the League Office and Brandon’s representation, and will reserve further comment at this time.

Commanders coach Dan Quinn spoke to the media and, no surprise, the McManus was a primary topic of conversation.

“We did release Brandon,” Quinn said Wednesday. “I found out some of the information on May 27th. And then we released him on June 3rd.

No surprise, Quinn didn’t reveal much because it remains an ongoing investigation regarding the allegations against McManus.

However, he did reveal a bit about what he told his team.

“This is under investigation,” Quinn said via Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post. “So I can’t comment a lot. But what I can say is a little bit about what I told the team. And I think like most things, not necessarily related to this but as a lesson, let’s make sure you always let somebody know and tell. There’s usually a whole bunch of people that want to be part of the solution. And so when you have that, whether that’s for this team or any team or a parent, that kind of communication allows you to come up with some solutions.”

Someone asked about the franchise’s history with similar allegations played a part in Washington releasing McManus and wisely Quinn did not comment.

McManus’ replacement, Ramiz Ahmed, was on the field Wednesday. Quinn didn’t say Ahmed would be Washington’s kicker in 2024, stressing he would be competing for the role. This is not different than anything he has said about every other position: Everyone will be competing. So, it sounds like the Commanders will likely bring in another kicker to compete with Ahmed this summer.

Commanders sign kicker Ramiz Ahmed

Ahmed spent the spring with the UFL’s Birmingham Stallions.

The Washington Commanders returned for their final week of Offseason Training Activities on Tuesday without a kicker. General manager Adam Peters rectified that by signing Ramiz Ahmed, according to Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post.

Ahmed, 28, spent much of this spring with the UFL’s Birmingham Stallions. Ahmed appeared in six games for Birmingham, making 10 of 13 field-goal attempts. Ahmed was perfect 40 yards out or less and four of seven from everything over 40 yards.

Ahmed played collegiately at Nevada and signed with the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent in 2020. He was waived that summer. In 2022, Ahmed signed with the Pittsburgh Maulers of the USFL where he kicked a 61-yard field goal, which was the longest in that league’s history at the time.

Ahmed received another chance at the NFL with the Packers in the summer of 2022. He was back and forth between the active roster and practice squad. He appeared in one game, where he handled kickoffs. Three of his six kicks went for touchbacks. Ahmed is known for his strong leg.

Even after signing Ahmed, the Commanders will likely add another kicker sometime before training camp. Could Washington turn back to the UFL and sign Jake Bates? Bates is unable to sign because his team is in the playoffs.

Ahmed replaces Brandon McManus on the roster. McManus was released Sunday after being accused of sexual assault.

 

Packers elevate K Ramiz Ahmed, RB Tyler Goodson from practice squad to gameday roster for Week 17

The Packers elevated K Ramiz Ahmed and RB Tyler Goodson from the practice squad to the gameday roster for Week 17 against the Vikings.

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The Green Bay Packers elevated kicker Ramiz Ahmed and running back Tyler Goodson from the practice squad to the gameday roster for Week 17. The move was announced Saturday, making Ahmed and Goodson available for Matt LaFleur and the Packers for Sunday’s showdown with the Minnesota Vikings.

Ahmed was previously elevated to the gameday roster for Week 10 against the Cowboys. He handled kickoffs for Mason Crosby, who was battling a back injury at the time.

The idea is probably similar this time around. Ahmed is likely to be used on kickoffs, where his strong leg will provide an opportunity to get the football into the end zone and avoid returns from Kene Nwangwu of the Vikings.

Of Crosby’s 62 kickoffs this season, 50 have been returned. The weather doesn’t help. Of his last 32 kickoffs, 29 have been returned. The 38-year-old just doesn’t have the leg strength to consistently kick the ball out of range of the returner, especially in colder temps.

Ahmed played six snaps (all on kickoffs) and had one assisted tackle during the Packers’ win over the Cowboys. Three of his six kickoffs were returned.

Nwangwu is among the league leaders in kickoff return yardage and kickoff return average, and he’s the only player in the NFL with more than one kickoff return touchdown over the last two seasons.

Although the Packers have covered kicks well this season, a touchback is the safest option against a great returner.

In Goodson, the Packers will have another running back who can handle carries and possibly help in the return game as an emergency option. This is the first elevation to the gameday roster for the undrafted rookie from Iowa.

All teams are allowed to elevate up to two players from the practice squad each week. An individual player can only be elevated from the practice squad three times per season, so Ahmed now has one more elevation available this season. Goodson has two. On Monday, Ahmed and Goodson will revert back to the practice squad.

Elevations by week

Week 1: WR Juwann Winfree, S Micah Abernathy
Week 2: RB Patrick Taylor
Week 3: WR Juwann Winfree
Week 4: CB Kiondre Thomas
Week 5: None
Week 6: WR Juwann Winfree
Week 7: OLB La’Darius Hamilton
Week 8: S Innis Gaines, OLB Kobe Jones
Week 9: None
Week 10: OLB La’Darius Hamilton, K Ramiz Ahmed
Week 11: OLB La’Darius Hamilton
Week 12: RB Patrick Taylor, S Innis Gaines
Week 13: S Micah Abernathy, RB Patrick Taylor
Week 17: K Ramiz Ahmed, RB Tyler Goodson

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Packers elevate OLB La’Darius Hamilton, K Ramiz Ahmed from practice squad to gameday roster for Week 10

The Packers elevated OLB La’Darius Hamilton and K Ramiz Ahmed from the practice squad to the gameday roster for Week 10 against the Cowboys.

The Green Bay Packers elevated outside linebacker La’Darius Hamilton and kicker Ramiz Ahmed from the practice squad to the gameday roster for Week 10. The move was announced Saturday, making Hamilton and Ahmed available for Matt LaFleur and the Packers for Sunday’s showdown with the Dallas Cowboys.

Injuries likely necessitated both elevations.

Hamilton, who was previously elevated in Week 8 against the Bills, will provide depth at outside linebacker after the Packers lost Rashan Gary to a season-ending injury in Detroit. The Packers didn’t activate Tipa Galeai from injured reserve to the 53-man roster, so Hamilton could play important snaps as a top backup on Sunday.

In Buffalo, Hamilton played 14 snaps on defense and 11 more on special teams.

At kicker, veteran Mason Crosby popped up on the injury report this week with a back injury, but he wasn’t given an injury designation and is expected to play. Ahmed, who has been in Green Bay since Aug. 14, would provide insurance in case the injury flares up in-game on Sunday. It’s also possible Ahmed will handle kickoffs to lessen the kicking workload for Crosby.

The Packers did not elevate a receiver from the practice squad or sign Juwann Winfree, possibly suggesting that Amari Rodgers will be available to play. He is currently questionable after being added to the injury report with a new lower-leg injury on Friday. Romeo Doubs has already been ruled out, leaving the Packers with Allen Lazard, Sammy Watkins, Christian Watson and Samori Toure as the team’s four healthy receivers.

All teams are allowed to elevate up to two players from the practice squad each week. An individual player can only be elevated from the practice squad three times per season, so Hamilton has only one more elevation and Ahmed has two more elevations available this season. On Monday, both will revert back to the practice squad.

Elevations by week

Week 1: WR Juwann Winfree, S Micah Abernathy
Week 2: RB Patrick Taylor
Week 3: WR Juwann Winfree
Week 4: CB Kiondre Thomas
Week 5: None
Week 6: WR Juwann Winfree
Week 7: OLB La’Darius Hamilton
Week 8: S Innis Gaines, OLB Kobe Jones
Week 9: None
Week 10: OLB La’Darius Hamilton, K Ramiz Ahmed

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Packers to fill practice squad by signing K Ramiz Ahmed

The Packers will fill the 16th practice squad spot by signing K Ramiz Ahmed, per Bill Huber of SI.com.

The Green Bay Packers will fill their 16th and final practice squad spot by signing kicker Ramiz Ahmed, according to Bill Huber of SI.com.

Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst intimated that Ahmed would be back on the practice squad as insurance behind veteran kicker Mason Crosby, who came off the PUP list last week after missing all of training camp with a right knee injury.

Because Crosby was activated from the PUP list, the Packers released Ahmed during final cuts.

Ahmed signed with the Packers on Aug. 14 as an injury replacement for Gabe Brkic. He made all three of his field goals (long of 45) and all three extra points during two preseason games.

Ahmed was originally an undrafted free agent out of Nevada in 2019. He spent time with the Chicago Bears during training camp in 2020 and then played for the Pittsburgh Maulers of the USFL. He made a league-record 61-yard field goal.

On Friday, the Packers signed safety Micah Abernathy to the practice squad and released cornerback Rico Gafford.

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Packers signing kicker Ramiz Ahmed to practice squad

In need of insurance behind veteran kicker Mason Crosby, the Green Bay Packers signed Ramiz Ahmed to the team’s 16-player practice squad.

In need of insurance behind veteran kicker Mason Crosby, the Green Bay Packers signed Ramiz Ahmed to the team’s 16-player practice squad on Wednesday, per Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

General manager Brian Gutekunst said the Packers expect Crosby – who was activated from the PUP list on Tuesday – to be available for Week 1, but keeping Ahmed on the practice squad represents the team’s backup plan at kicker.

If Crosby can’t go on Sept. 11 against the Minnesota Vikings, the Packers can bring up Ahmed from the practice squad to handle kicking duties. Crosby, who turns 38 next month, had surgery on his right knee before training camp.

Ahmed, 27, made all three field goal attempts (long of 45) and all three extra point attempts over two preseason games in Green Bay. He signed with the Packers on Aug. 14.

Ahmed is an undrafted free agent out of Nevada. He spent part of the 2020 season with the Chicago Bears and then played for the Pittsburgh Maulers of the USFL this past year. He made a 61-yard field goal, the longest in the history of the USFL.