NFL Player News

Vikings kicker Blair Walsh is looking for more than just one field goal attempt against the Bears Week 2.

Walsh had just one field goal Week 1 against the Lions, and hit from 52 yards out. The Bears will present a tough challenge defensively, which could keep the Vikings in field goal range once they start to threaten. Walsh has the range to score from far out. He hit all 10 of his 50+ yards field goal attempts last year. 

Bills rookie kicker Dustin Hopkins did not practice again Wednesday due to his groin injury, but coach Doug Marrone said Hopkins would kick late in the week. If Hopkins is ready by Sunday, he'd replace fill-in Dan Carpenter.

The Steelers announced Monday they signed kicker Shayne Graham. His signing is because kicker Shaun Suisham hurt his hamstring Sunday against the Titans.

Kicker Garrett Hartley, who was lacking in field goal opportunities at times last season because of the efficiency of the Saints offense, kicked three field goals, more than he had in any game last season, Week 1 against the Falcons. He hit a 48-yarder in the second quarter, a 31-yarder in the second quarter and a 22-yarder in the fourth quarter. He also had two extra points.

He'll look to add to his field goal total Week 2 at Tampa Bay.

Rams kicker Greg Zuerlein went 4 of 4 on field goals Sunday against the Cardinals, hitting from 36, 25 and 38 yards before nailing the 48-yard gamewinner with 40 seconds left. The Rams’ red-zone struggles gave Zuerlein lots of chances.

He'll kick indoors again in Week 2 when St. Louis visit the Falcons.

Falcons kicker Matt Bryant, who averaged 10.0 points in his two games against the Saints last season, contributed only half that Week 1 at New Orleans, kicking a 23-yard field goal in the first quarter and also contributing two extra points.

He scored nine points or more in 10 of his 16 games last season. He'll look to get back to that standard Week 2 against the Rams.

New Dolphins placekicker Caleb Sturgis nailed his debut by nailing every boot in aiding a 23-10 victory in Cleveland.

Sturgis opened the scoring with a 45-yard field goal in the first quarter and gave his team a 6-0 lead with a 49-yarder in the second. He completed the trifecta with a 36-yarder with four minutes remaining in the game and added two extra points for a perfect afternoon.

He will accompany the Dolphins to Indianapolis next Sunday.

Vikings kicker Blair Walsh only had one opportunity Sunday in Week 1 against the Lions, but he was able to extend a streak in a 34-24 loss.

Walsh connected from 52 yards in his lone field-goal attempt in the game. He also added three successful extra-point tries. 

Walsh is now 11 for 11 on field-goal attempts of 50-plus yards in his career. The Vikings play at Chicago in Week 2. 

Jets kicker Nick Folk recorded two fourth-quarter field goals in Sunday's Week 1 win at home against the Buccaneers. The second won the game with just two seconds remaining. 

Folk's 48-yarder with seconds to go gave the game its final score of 18-17. He went 3 for 3 overall on field goals for the afternoon with a long of 48 yards. He added one PAT for 10 points scored. The Jets play at New England in Week 2. 

Panthers kicker Graham Gano did not receive a field goal opportunity against the Seahawks.

Gano finished the game with one extra point. He'll have an opportunity to increase his work next week against the Bills.