NFL Player News

Bryant (quad) will not play Sunday against the Panthers.

As a result, Shayne Graham will once again fill in for Bryant this weekend. Bryant last saw the field in Week 11, and his next chance to kick for the Falcons will be the team's Dec. 20 road contest versus the Jaguars.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Hocker made his only field goal attempt in Sunday's 27-3 loss to Arizona.

Hocker's dealing with a little bit of an injury, but has not missed a kick while filling in for Greg Zuerlein. That has only been two attempts, one field goal and one extra point, however, so even in the deepest leagues Hocker has no value.

Santos went without a field goal in Sunday's game against the Raiders, also missing one of his three extra point attempts.

Santos has now missed two extra points on the season, but Sunday marked just the second time this season he hasn't made a field goal. The Chiefs have some weak defenses on the upcoming slate, which could lead to many scoring opportunities.

Boswell converted three of four field goals (29, 42, 51) and four of four extra points in Pittsburgh's win over Indianapolis on Sunday.

His one miss came from 47 yards out, but he matched his career-long field goal and improved to two of two on field goal attempts from 50-plus yards this season. He also surpassed Matt Bahr for the second-most field goals made by a rookie/first-year player in team history.