NFL Player News
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Tom Obarski K | NYG
Tom Obarski: Waived by Giants
Obarski was waived by the Giants on Monday, Seth Walder of the New York Daily News reports.
With Josh Brown suspended for Week 1, the Giants appeared interested in a more experienced kicking presence, and after signing Randy Bullock on Monday, Obarski quickly became an expendable asset.
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Garrett Hartley K | PIT
Garrett Hartley: Working out for Giants
Hartley will work out for the Giants on Monday, NorthJersey.com reports.
Hartley's workout comes after Giants kicker Josh Brown was recently handed a one-game suspension and backup Tom Obarski missed a 28-yard field goal attempt in New York's preseason game over the weekend. With coach Ben McAdoo looking to increase competition at the position, a group of kickers has been brought in to work out for the Giants to start this week, and Hartley could conceivably receive a contract offer if he impresses the team.
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Caleb Sturgis K | LAC
Eagles' Caleb Sturgis: Back at practice Monday
Sturgis has been cleared from the league's concussion protocol and will practice Monday, Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
Sturgis suffered the concussion prior to the Eagles' preseason game against the Steelers last week after being hit in the head by a punt during warmups. He'll be sure to wear a helmet next time around when the team plays in Indianapolis on Saturday. A timely recovery means well for Sturgis, who continues to compete with Cody Parkey (groin) for the kicking job.
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Ka'imi Fairbairn K | HOU
Texans' Ka'imi Fairbairn: Did not play preseason Week 2
Fairbairn did not play in Houston's win over New Orleans in preseason Week 2 on Saturday due to a quad injury.
Houston head coach Bill O'Brien said the injury isn't considered serious, but the kicker remains day-to-day. With Fairbairn out, Nick Novak handled the kicking duties Saturday, but he suffered a concussion on Houston's final kickoff.
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Shayne Graham K | ATL
Falcons' Shayne Graham: Signs with Falcons
Graham signed a contract with the Falcons on Saturday.
Graham is no stranger to Atlanta. After Matt Bryant went down due to a quadriceps injury last season, Graham assumed kicking duties for the Falcons. In his short five-game stint, Graham connected on 11 of 13 tries and hit all of his eight extra point attempts. Entering his 19th season, Graham hasn't showed any signs of decay and could be a solid option at kicker for an offense expected to score a lot of points in 2016.
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Tom Obarski K | NYG
Giants' Tom Obarski: Could start Week 1
With Josh Brown suspended for Week 1, Obarski is the leading candidate to start in his place.
Moreover, with more detailed accusations against Brown coming to light, there's some chance Obarski is called on beyond Week 1. Even so, there's no reason to speculate on this situation at this point with plenty of viable kickers available.
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Blair Walsh K | ATL
Vikings' Blair Walsh: This time makes 27-yard FG against Seattle
Walsh made a 27-yard field goal, but missed a 47-yard attempt in Thursday's preseason win over Seattle.
Fittingly, Walsh made a field goal from the same distance that he missed against Seattle at the end of last season's playoff loss. However, he missed a field goal with a chance to seal a win. Walsh is in no danger of losing his job despite last season's befuddling playoff miss. He made a 51-yard attempt in the first preseason game, which is reassuring since he struggled in the preseason last year.
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Caleb Sturgis K | LAC
Eagles' Caleb Sturgis: Out for Thursday's game
Sturgis will not play in Thursday's preseason game against the Steelers after suffering a concussion, Zach Berman of the Philadelphia Enquirer reports.
Sturgis' injury comes as a freak accident, he was hit in the head by a punt during warm-ups, which gave him the concussion. He'll likely be out for at least the next few days. He'd been competing and out-performing Cody Parkey for the kicker spot, but his injury opens the door for Parkey to get extra game and practice reps.
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Connor Barth K | CHI
Saints' Connor Barth: Behind Forbath in kicking competition
Kai Forbath is holding off Barth for the starting kicker job, according to the New Orleans Times-Picayune, but the competition is "very close and far from decided."
Both players kicked well in Wednesday's practice, but the battle between the two veterans still remains too tight to call. Barth did not attempt a kick in the Saints' preseason opener against the Patriots last week, whereas Forbath missed badly on his only field goal attempt in the game, a 50-yarder. Barth should get an opportunity to kick in Saturday's preseason game against the Texans.
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Ka'imi Fairbairn K | HOU
Texans' Ka'imi Fairbairn: Field goal, extra point in preseason opener
Fairbairn booted a 45-yard field goal and converted his lone extra-point attempt in Houston's preseason opener against the 49ers.
Fairbairn is an undrafted free agent challenging the incumbent Nick Novak for Houston's placekicking job. Two of his three kickoffs did not reach the end zone, but touchbacks may not necessarily be a factor in who wins the job. The 49ers' average field position on his kickoffs was the 22-yard line, which is better than the new touchback rule, where field position begins at the 25. This competition will play itself out over the course of the four-game preseason.