The New York Jets have been a disaster over the past five games, losing five straight, including four close games and three one-score games involving a missed field goal. Jets Pro Bowl and All-Pro kicker Greg Zuerlein has struggled in their five-game skid and has only made seven out of 12 field goals and six out of seven extra points in that span. He has missed at least one field goal in those three one-score games.
Zuerlein missed the game-winning 50-yard field goal with under a minute to go in their 9-10 loss to the Denver Broncos in Week 4. He missed a 32-yard field goal in the 3rd quarter and a 43-yard field goal in the second-to-last drive as both hit the upright in their 20-23 loss to the Buffalo Bills in Week 6. Finally, he missed an extra point in the first quarter and a 44-yard field goal in the third-to-last drive of their 22-25 loss to the New England Patriots in Week 8.
The Jets held an open kicker competition earlier in the week.
The New York Jets held a kicker competition on Tuesday
The Jets hosted six kickers on Tuesday. The six kickers included Riley Patterson, Spencer Shrader, Zane Gonzalez, Brayden Narveson, Andre Szmyt, and Cade York. Interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich described the thought process of working out these kickers.
“We’ll bring in a couple of guys to work out [Tuesday]. We’re going to take them out to the stadium, and we’ll make a decision by Thursday to see what’s best for the team. We’re going to have a good week of work,” Ulbrich said. “The beauty of the kicking area is that you don’t need the rest that the rest of these guys necessarily need, so we’ll have a competition. Bring some guys in, and the best guy will play on Thursday.”
Also Read: “Can’t Make This Up;” Green Bay Packers Fans React to Former Kicker Working Out for the New York Jets
Greg Zuerlein’s struggles aren’t the only reason they hosted a kicker competition. He’s also injured.
The New York Jets kicker will miss at least the next four weeks
Greg Zuerlein didn’t appear on Monday’s injury report. To the surprise of the coaching and medical staff, Zuerlein popped up on Tuesday’s injury report with a knee injury to his non-kicking leg, which wasn’t previously disclosed. According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the New York Jets have placed their Pro Bowl and All-Pro kicker on injured reserve and signed Riley Patterson and Spencer Shrader to their practice squad. Either Patterson or Shrader will play in tomorrow’s game against the Houston Texans.
Jets placed kicker Greg Zuerlein on IR and signed kickers Spencer Shrader and Riley Patterson to their practice squad.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 30, 2024
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