NFL Player News

Fairbairn (undisclosed) isn't listed on Wednesday's injury report.

Fairbairn missed the preseason finale, but as expected, he'll be good to go for Sunday's regular-season opener against the Colts. The sixth-year kicker has made 83.8 percent of his field goals over his first five seasons in Houston, including a perfect 59-for-59 from inside 40 yards over the last four years.

Gano (concussion) isn't listed on Wednesday's injury report, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

Gano suffered a concussion while trying to make a tackle during the Giants' second preseason game, but as expected, he'll be good to go for Week 1 in Tennessee. Over his last two seasons in New York, the veteran kicker has made 38 of 40 extra-point tries and 60 of 65 field-goal attempts, including 12 of 16 from beyond 50 yards.

The Jaguars signed McCourt to the practice squad Thursday, Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com reports.

McCourt began training camp with the Chargers but was waived before landing in Jacksonville. He was waived again when rosters became final Tuesday, but he will serve as depth in his first season as a professional.

Maher agreed to a deal Wednesday to join the Cowboys' practice squad and is expected to serve as Dallas' kicker in the team's Sept. 11 season opener against Tampa Bay, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Maher previously kicked for the Cowboys in 2018 and 2019 before replacing an injured Wil Lutz with New Orleans last season. He then joined the Cowboys in early August to provide competition, and within two weeks, Maher was the only kicker left on the roster. He may prove functional for fantasy, regardless of his roster status, as the Cowboys typically have played at a fast pace and moved the ball effectively when they've had quarterback Dak Prescott in the lineup. Granted, things may not be as smooth in the campaign ahead, with left tackle Tyron Smith (leg) expected to miss most, if not all of the season, and with the wideout room much thinner than it was in 2021. Maher has a strong leg -- he's converted from 63 and 62 yards in games during his career -- but he struggled with mid-range kicks during his previous stint with the Cowboys and missed a couple extra-point attempts for the Saints last year. He could be replaced in a hurry if he struggles early in the season.

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.