The Green Bay Packers finally have found the consistency that they have been so desperately looking for at the kicker position. After Anders Carlson and Greg Joseph both struggled in training camp and in preseason games, the team opted to claim rookie Brayden Narveson off of waivers from the Tennessee Titans before the season started. He, however, also struggled to start the year so general manager Brian Gutekunst went out and signed free agent kicker Brandon McManus.
It has only been two games, but the veteran kicker has already made two game-winning field goals. While he may not have the leg to make many 50+ yard kicks, he is reliable at the distances at which kickers should be reliable. Green Bay’s previous three kickers this year are not.
Former Green Bay Packers Kickers Anders Carlson and Greg Joseph Are on New Teams
Following their releases from the Packers, both Carlson and Joseph competed for the few open kicker jobs in the NFL, nearly all of which were on various practice squads. Notably, both kickers competed for a spot on the Detroit Lions practice squad, a job that Joseph won.
The former Minnesota Vikings kicker was not with Detroit long, though. New York Giants kicker Graham Gano injured his hamstring in Week Two and was placed on injured reserve. The Giants signed Joseph off of the Lions’ practice squad to replace him.
Joseph has 81.3% (13/16) of his kicks so far this year and all of his extra points.
It took longer for Carlson to land another job. After several workouts with multiple teams, he was eventually signed by the San Francisco 49ers, who have seen two of their kickers get hurt.
Carlson has played in the last two games for San Francisco and has made all five of his field goals. He has, however, missed an extra point.
Former Green Bay Packers Kicker Greg Joseph Has Been Ruled Out for the New York Giants This Weekend
Unfortunately for Joseph, who has experienced a decent level of success in New York, he will not be able to play on Sunday when the Giants face the Washington Commanders.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the veteran kicker has suffered an oblique injury, making him the second Giants kicker to miss time with an injury this season:
Giants kicker Greg Joseph is out Sunday vs. the Commanders due to an oblique injury, leaving practice squad kicker Jude McAtamney as the next kicker up.
In Week 2 vs. Washington, Giants kicker Graham Gano hurt his hamstring on the opening kick and the team didn’t have a kicker…
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 1, 2024
As Schefter notes, Jude McAtamney is on New York’s practice squad and will likely get the call to kick on Sunday. If he does, he will become just the second Irish-born player in the NFL, joining Packers punter Daniel Whelan.
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