Has Washington Football Team head coach Ron Rivera finally seen enough of kicker Dustin Hopkins?
On Monday, Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network reported that Washington would work out kicker Lirim Hajrullahu, among others. Hajrullahu is a two-time CFL All-Star and has spent time on the practice squad of the Rams, Panthers, and, most recently, the Cowboys.
Hajrullahu spent six seasons in the CFL kicking for Winnipeg, Toronto and Hamilton.
Multiple teams are setting up kicker workouts this week, per sources.
The #Colts are working out a group that includes Ramiz Ahmed, Sam Sloman and Chris Blewitt.
Washington will work out a group Tuesday that includes former CFL all-star Lirim Hajrullahu.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 18, 2021
While Pelissero reported the Colts were working Sam Sloman, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post confirmed Sloman will also work out for Washington.
Washington is also working out K Sam Sloman tomorrow, per sources.https://t.co/34D7cq1dRi
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) October 18, 2021
Sloman, 24, kicked collegiately at Miami of Ohio. He initially won the kicking job for the Rams in 2020, beating out Hajrullahu. He was waived in late October after making eight of 11 attempts and was 18 of 21 on point-after attempts.
In November, he signed with the Titans’ practice squad and was elevated to the main roster for the final game. He was released in January. He signed with the Steelers in July and was waived in August.
One thing Sloman has working for him is his nickname, which is the “Kosher Cannon.”
Hopkins is under fire again after missing a 42-yard attempt on Sunday against the Chiefs. Hopkins, who has been with Washington since 2015, has connected on 12 of 14 field-goal attempts in 2021 and 10 of 12 on point-after attempts.
Rivera has stood by Hopkins and recently said one of the reasons Washington hasn’t pursued a replacement is the lack of legitimate options.
Washington has briefly carried two different kickers on the practice squad in 2021, so that could be an option.