NFL Player News

The Jaguars waived McCourt on Wednesday.

McCourt, an undrafted rookie out of Illinois, and Jake Verity (undisclosed) both made the team's initial 53-man roster, but both kickers were let go Wednesday to make room for a number of waiver claims, including former Lions kicker Riley Patterson. McCourt appeared in only one preseason game with Jacksonville and made both of his field-goal attempts, including a 54-yarder.

The Jaguars claimed Patterson off waivers from the Lions on Wednesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Patterson re-signed with the Lions in late April after he served as Detroit's kicker for seven games in 2021, but he was unable to beat out Austin Seibert for a roster spot during the preseason. Patterson quickly found a new home in Jacksonville and appears in line to be the Jaguars top place kicker after the team waived recently acquired Jake Verity and James McCourt to open up roster spots for several waiver claims.

Pineiro agreed to a one-year contract with the Panthers on Wednesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Pineiro becomes the only kicker on Carolina's roster following the team's placement of Zane Gonzalez (core) on injured reserve. The 26-year-old made all 17 of his field-goal attempts while joining the Jets for their final five games of the 2021 season, but he couldn't beat out Greg Zuerlein for New York's kicking job this offseason. Carolina could continue to bring in competition for Pineiro, but for the time, he'll handle kicking duties in the Sept. 11 season opener versus the Browns.

The Lions waived Patterson on Tuesday.

Patterson signed with the Lions in late April after he served as Detroit's kicker over seven games in 2021. However, he was unable to beat out Austin Seibert for a roster spot during the preseason.

Santos is the only kicker on the Bears' 53-man roster, according to the team's official site.

Santos made more than 90 percent of his field-goal attempts in his first two years with the Bears. However, he's averaged fewer than two field-goal attempts during his tenure in Chicago. Unless the offense can provide him with increased opportunities this year, he'll continue to be a borderline fantasy option in 12-team leagues.

The Panthers placed Gonzalez (groin) on injured reserve Tuesday, possibly ending his 2022 season, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.

Gonzalez may require surgery to address a groin injury he sustained during Carolina's preseason finale versus Buffalo, and the timing of the 27-year-old kicker's placement on IR means he will miss the entire 2022 campaign unless he works out an injury settlement with the team. The Panthers don't currently have another kicker on the roster, meaning the team will have to prioritize making a signing in the aftermath of league-wide roster cutdowns.

The Cowboys released Maher on Tuesday but likely will re-sign him before Week 1, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.

The team signed Maher on Aug. 9 after Jonathan Garibay was waived. Dallas then cut Lirim Hajrullahu two weeks later, leaving Maher as the only kicker on the roster. He's one of the few kickers in NFL history with multiple conversions from over 60 yards, but he struggled with midrange kicks during his first stint in Dallas (2018-19).

Panthers head coach Matt Rhule said Monday that it's yet to be determined if Gonzalez (groin) will need surgery or how long he'll be out, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.

Gonzalez suffered the injury during Friday's preseason finale, but the extent of the issue remains unknown, though he is expected to miss a significant amount of time. He's currently the only kicker on Carolina's roster, so expect the Panthers to make a move for a replacement soon. More information on Gonzalez's status should come closer to Tuesday's 53-man roster deadline.

Boswell converted four of his five field-goal attempts while making his lone extra-point try during Sunday's 19-9 preseason win over the Lions.

Boswell had a 29-yard field-goal attempt blocked early in the third quarter Sunday, but he was otherwise perfect while accounting for most of Pittsburgh's scoring during the final game of the preseason. The 31-year-old had missed his only other preseason field-goal attempt ahead of Sunday's matchup, but he enters the regular season as the clear starting kicker for the Steelers after agreeing to a four-year, $20 million extension with Pittsburgh in early August.

Gano (concussion) is expected to be ready for Week 1 against the Titans, Dan Duggan of The Athletic reports.

Gano suffered a concussion while trying to make a tackle during the Giants' second preseason game and has remained sidelined since. New York brought in Ryan Santoso as an emergency fill-in for the preseason finale, but the team waived him Monday, suggesting they have confidence that Gano will be fully healthy by the start of the regular season.