EAGAN, Minn. — The NFL has seen a significant upheaval in its kicking game this fall, with injuries plaguing the position at an alarming rate. Traditionally regarded as niche specialists within the sport, kickers this season have faced an exceptional amount of turmoil and challenges, primarily revolving around the mental strains associated with pressure-filled moments.
Teams fortunate enough to maintain stability in their kicking game have proven to be rare. “We’re just looking for a live leg,” remarked New York Jets interim coach Jeff Ulbrich recently as the team turned to Spencer Shrader, who is set to join the Kansas City Chiefs after veteran kicker Harrison Butker found himself on injured reserve. Butker is just one of seven kickers currently nursing injuries, part of a notable list that includes Matt Prater and Greg Zuerlein.
For Shrader, this marks his third team after briefly kicking for the Indianapolis Colts. The Jets anticipate that Anders Carlson will step in as well, having previously handled kicking responsibilities for the San Francisco 49ers in two games. Notably, a staggering 45 different players had attempted at least one kick this regular season before this week, with that number expected to rise to 48 after the weekend concludes. The Jets, alongside the 49ers and the New York Giants, are on track to utilize a total of four kickers over four weeks, a remarkable occurrence mirrored by the 49ers and Giants after injuries forced their punters into alternative roles. The Washington Commanders have also cycled through three kickers.
According to data from Sportradar, only 41 kickers participated throughout the entire 2023 season, which included one appearance by a punter and Riley Patterson, who kicked for both the Cleveland Browns and the Detroit Lions. In stark contrast, merely a decade ago, only 37 players made kicking attempts in a regular season game.
The reasons for this unusual trend are varied and open to interpretation across the league. One contributing factor has been the increase in kickoff plays following rules changes, as witnessed by the 49ers, who lost kickers Jake Moody and Matthew Wright in consecutive games during tackle attempts. The touchback percentage has also dropped from 74.3% in 2023 to 67.2% in 2024, highlighting the risk involved in kicks that necessitate tackles.
“I would never condone letting them score, but, wow, that’s two weeks in a row,” remarked 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan last month.
Another theory suggests that a collective enhancement in the kicking power across the league might be leading to a rise in muscle-related injuries. There have been nine attempts for field goals exceeding 60 yards, equaling the total from 2023, while attempts from over 50 yards currently sit at 154, on course to surpass last season’s 230.
“It may be that as we push for longer field goals during practices, the strain on the legs increases, resulting in soft tissue injuries as the season progresses,” explained Minnesota Vikings special teams coordinator Matt Daniels. He noted that rookie kicker Will Reichard is nursing a quadriceps strain that emerged during last week’s game.
The Vikings generally schedule kicking practices on Wednesdays and Fridays leading up to Sunday games. “It’s crucial to monitor their workload closely, particularly for younger kickers who, thinking they’re invincible, may not recognize when to rest,” Daniels emphasized.
For those who challenge the notion that longer kicks are tied to increased injuries, there remains a consensus that training regimens must be managed judiciously. “Establishing a solid routine is essential, especially for younger players. If they lack that after a couple of years, issues can arise,” stated Browns kicker Dustin Hopkins, who has battled hamstring problems in recent seasons. “In theory, the effort to kick 60 yards feels similar to hitting one from 44 yards.”
Parker Romo can attest to the advantages of maintaining a consistent routine. Recently called up by the Vikings to fill in for Reichard, Romo successfully made all four field goal attempts against the Jacksonville Jaguars last week. “It’s wise not to overdo it; you never know when your phone will ring. You must stay prepared as opportunities can come unexpectedly,” Romo noted. “Limiting those long-distance attempts is key, as enjoyable as they might be—being smart is crucial.”