NFL Player News
-
Brandon McManus K | GB
Broncos' Brandon McManus: Hits double figures
McManus made all three of his field-goal attempts as well as his only extra-point try in Monday night's 19-16 overtime loss to the Chargers.
McManus converted from 51, 27 and 48 yards on his three field goals. The veteran has now notched at least nine points in four of six games this season, giving him good value despite Denver's offense struggling.
-
Dustin Hopkins K | CLE
Chargers' Dustin Hopkins: Out 2-to-4 weeks, per HC
Chargers head coach Brandon Staley said Tuesday that Hopkins (hamstring) will be out 2-to-4 weeks, Lindsey Thiry of ESPN.com reports.
Hopkins remained in Monday's game after initially suffering a hamstring injury on his first kick of the contest and ended up connecting on four field goals, including a game-winning 39-yarder in overtime. It's unclear if staying in the game made the hamstring issue worse, but the Chargers may not have come away with a victory without Hopkins' persevering performance. In Hopkins' absence, Los Angeles is expected to promote Taylor Bertolet from its practice squad to serve as the primary kicker against Seattle.
-
Dustin Hopkins K | CLE
Chargers' Dustin Hopkins: Expected to sit out Week 7
Hopkins isn't expected to be available for the Chargers' Week 7 game against the Seahawks after injuring his hamstring in Monday's 19-16 overtime win over the Broncos, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Hopkins initially tweaked his hamstring on an extra-point attempt following Austin Ekeler's second-quarter touchdown, but the kicker soldiered on and came up clutch for the Chargers. He went on to deliver a 37-yard field goal in the final minute of the second quarter, then added 31- and 35-yarders in the second half before drilling a game-winning 39-yard kick with 2:38 remaining in overtime. Fortunately for Hopkins, his injury doesn't seem to be a long-term concern, so he appears likely to avoid a stint on injured reserve. The team will likely promote Taylor Bertolet from the practice squad to serve as its kicker against Seattle.
-
Matt Prater K | BUF
Cardinals' Matt Prater: Misses practice Tuesday
Prater (hip) was listed as a non-participant on Tuesday's practice report, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.
Prater's sore right hip kept him from logging any practice activity for the second straight day, but Arizona isn't yet ruling him out for Thursday's game against the Saints. That said, Arizona signed Rodrigo Blankenship to its practice squad Tuesday, and he would be in line to handle kicking duties if the Cardinals determine that Prater will miss a third straight game. Matt Ammendola served as Arizona's kicker the previous two weeks but was waived after missing two kicks during that time.
-
Tyler Bass K | BUF
Bills' Tyler Bass: Perfect in big win
Bass made his only field-goal try -- a 39-yarder -- and all three of his extra-point attempts in Sunday's 24-20 win over the Chiefs.
While the volume wasn't high, as the Bills got into the end zone three times and also had both a red-zone turnover and a red-zone drive end on downs, Bass was perfect on the day, a level he's been close to all season. The third-year kicker has missed two of 11 field-goal attempts and is a perfect 21-for-21 on extra points, something he hasn't missed on during the past two regular seasons. Bass currently sits sixth in the NFL in kicker scoring with 48 points.
-
Rodrigo Blankenship K | TB
Rodrigo Blankenship: Signs to practice squad
Blankenship signed with the Cardinals' practice squad Tuesday, Darren Urban of the team's official site reports.
Blankenship had a rocky season debut with the Colts in Week 1, missing a potential game-winning kick in overtime, while also sending two kickoffs out of bounds for penalties, which lead to him getting cut. However, with Matt Ammendola being let go Monday by the Cardinals and Matt Prater (hip) still questionable for Thursday's content with the Saints, Blankenship could get a chance at redemption.
-
Justin Tucker K | BAL
Ravens' Justin Tucker: Misses field goal in loss
Tucker went 2-for-3 on field goals and added two extra points in Sunday's loss to the Giants.
Tucker was off the mark on a 50-yarder for the first time all season as the attempt clanged off the upright. He converted all of his other attempts, however, and is now 11-for-12 on field goals and 17-for-18 on extra points this season. Tucker and the Ravens return home to face the Browns on Sunday.
-
Dustin Hopkins K | CLE
Chargers' Dustin Hopkins: PIcks up injury in win
Hopkins (hamstring) said he felt "a pop" in his leg after his first kicking attempt in Monday's 19-16 overtime win against Denver, but he managed to play through the issue for the remainder of the contest, Jeff Howe of The Athletic reports.
Hopkins came into this game without an injury designation after missing last week's win against the Browns with a quadriceps injury, which also limited him in practice last Thursday and Friday. The 31-year-old temporarily exited Monday with a hamstring issue in the second quarter before returning to convert a 37-yard field goal with less than one minute remaining in the first half, according to Daniel Popper of The Athletic. Hopkins also appeared to be in considerable pain on his three remaining field-goal tries, though he still hit a 39-yard game winner in overtime. While the exact nature and severity of this new issue still are unclear, the veteran now will have a slightly shorter week to recover before Sunday's game against the Seahawks.
-
Wil Lutz K | DEN
Saints' Wil Lutz: Converts six attempts in loss
Lutz went 4-for-4 on field-goal attempts and 2-for-2 on point-after tries during Sunday's 30-26 loss to the Bengals.
All four of Lutz's made field goals came on attempts between 30 to 39 yards, as the Saints' offense struggled in the red zone with starting wideouts Michael Thomas (foot), Jarvis Landry (ankle) and Chris Olave (concussion) all sidelined. The sixth-year kicker has now made nine of his 13 field-goal tries and all 12 of his PATs this season. Lutz could see fewer short field-goal attempts if New Orleans' wide receiver corps returns to full strength for Thursday's game against the Cardinals.
-
Eddy Pineiro K | SF
Panthers' Eddy Pineiro: Makes both kicks
Pineiro made his only field-goal attempt and extra-point try in Sunday's 24-10 loss to the Rams.
Pineiro converted from 42 yards on his lone field goal. However, with Carolina's offense struggling once again, limited opportunities restricted him to just four points for the second time in three weeks. As a result, his stock is trending in the wrong direction ahead of Week 7's matchup versus the Buccaneers.