NFL Player News
-
Zach Hocker K | TB
Rams' Zach Hocker: Listed as probable but no longer needed
Hocker (thigh) and Greg Zuerlein (hip) are both listed as probable for Sunday's game against the Lions, Nick Wagoner of ESPN reports.
With Zuerlein set to make his return, Hocker will likely be released either this weekend or next week. He only attempted one field goal and one extra point, converting both, during his two-game stint as the Rams' kicker.
-
Shayne Graham K | ATL
Falcons' Shayne Graham: Set to kick for another game
Graham will once again serve as the Falcons' kicker Sunday against the Panthers, ESPN's Vaughn McClure reports.
With Matt Bryant (quad) ruled out by the team Friday, Graham will handle the team's kicking duties for the third week in a row on Sunday. In Week 13, the 38-year-old made all four of his field goal attempts in a 23-19 loss to the Bucs, en route to a 13-point effort.
-
Matt Bryant K | ATL
Falcons' Matt Bryant: Limited Wednesday
Bryant (quad) was limited at practice Wednesday, the Falcons' official site reports.
Taking the practice field for the first time since Week 11, Bryant's reps were predictably capped as he continues his recovery from a strained quadriceps. The Falcons will watch his progress as the week unfolds, but Shayne Graham is hanging around in case Bryant is unable to suit up Sunday at Carolina.
-
Zach Hocker K | TB
Rams' Zach Hocker: Doesn't practice Wednesday
Hocker (thigh) didn't participate in practice Wednesday, Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Hocker was slated for an MRI on a potential quad injury earlier this week, but the evaluation apparently revealed that he's in fact contending with a thigh concern. His DNP on Wednesday was accompanied by a full practice from Greg Zuerlein (hip), which indicates that Hocker's days in St. Louis are likely numbered.
-
Greg Zuerlein K | NYJ
Rams' Greg Zuerlein: Practices in full Wednesday
Zuerlein (hip) practiced in full Wednesday, Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Zuerlein's unhinged return to practice could signal the end of the Zach Hocker era in St. Louis. However, Zuerlein will receive a day off Thursday, before showing off the health of his hip Friday with the aim of playing Sunday versus the Lions.
-
Matt Bryant K | ATL
Falcons' Matt Bryant: Will return to practice Wednesday
Bryant (quadriceps) will return to practice Wednesday.
Head coach Dan Quinn relayed the news, stating that the Falcons will monitor his progress throughout the week to determine if he's ready to handle game-day kicking duties. If Bryant is unable to appease the training staff, the team will again turn to Shayne Graham, who has hit both extra points and all five field goals over the past two contests.
-
Connor Barth K | CHI
Buccaneers' Connor Barth: Tallies one field goal, two extra points in Week 13
Barth kicked a 23-yard field goal in his only attempt and also successfully converted both extra-point attempts in Sunday's 23-19 victory over the Falcons.
Barth's sole field goal was shorter than an extra-point attempt, so it was essentially automatic by 2015 standards. He also managed to mostly keep the ball out of the dangerous Devin Hester's hands by posting touchbacks on three of four kickoffs. The veteran kicker continues his solid performances, and his experience should prove especially valuable as the Bucs fight for a wild-card spot over the last four weeks of the season.
-
Zach Hocker K | TB
Rams' Zach Hocker: Scheduled for MRI on quadriceps
Hocker is scheduled for an MRI on a quad injury, Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
He's moonlighted as the Rams' kicker during Greg Zuerlein's (groin) two-game absence, but an offense helmed by Nick Foles has offered up just one field goal and one extra point, both of which Hocker has converted. Depending on the results of the MRI, Hocker could be on a short leash if Zuerlein is drawing closer to a return. However, Wednesday's injury report will give the first indication of each kicker's level of health.