FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — The kicking situation for the New York Jets is once again in flux. When the Jets take on the Indianapolis Colts this Sunday, Anders Carlson could step in as the team’s fourth kicker in as many weeks.

This transition comes after Spencer Shrader, who successfully completed both of his field-goal attempts in his debut with the Jets last week, was signed by the Kansas City Chiefs off the Jets’ practice squad. A source familiar with the situation indicated that the Chiefs made this move as they sought a replacement after Harrison Butker was placed on injured reserve due to a knee injury.

Carlson, who joined the practice squad of the Jets last week, is set to follow the likes of Greg Zuerlein, Riley Patterson, and Shrader in what has turned into a challenging situation for the team’s kicking position. Patterson, currently a free agent, played alongside Austin Seibert, Ryan Santoso, and Aldrick Rosas as part of the Detroit Lions’ team in 2021, which recently experienced a similar kicker shuffle across four consecutive games.

Historically, the Jets have only used four different kickers within a single season once before, which occurred in 1979 with kickers Pat Leahy, Rich Szaro, Toni Linhart, and Dave Jacobs.

At the beginning of this season, Zuerlein was the designated kicker for New York, but he was placed on injured reserve due to a left leg injury on October 30. In his absence, Shrader and Patterson were added to the practice squad. Patterson was elevated to the active roster just hours before the October 31 game against Houston, where he successfully made both of his extra point attempts. However, the Jets later released Patterson and finalized a promotion for Shrader ahead of the game against Arizona.

Jets special teams coordinator Brant Boyer expressed confidence in Shrader’s performance, saying, “I thought he handled it really well. Kid’s got a lot of talent. I think he synced up with those guys and did a good job in the game.” Just before news broke of Shrader’s signing with the Chiefs, Boyer praised him.

Reports suggest that the Jets had extended an offer for Shrader to join their 53-man active roster, but he chose to join the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs instead.

Looking at Carlson’s background, he previously spent time with the San Francisco 49ers earlier this season, where he successfully converted 5 of 5 field goals and 3 of 4 extra points during two games in relief of injured kickers Jake Moody and Matthew Wright. Carlson was a sixth-round draft pick by the Green Bay Packers last year out of Auburn, where he completed 27 of 33 field goal attempts and 34 of 39 extra points during his rookie season.

In terms of player availability, wide receiver Davante Adams missed a second consecutive practice due to illness and a wrist issue, although he was seen in the locker room later. His status for Sunday remains uncertain. Linebacker C.J. Mosley (neck), left tackle Tyron Smith (neck), and offensive lineman Jake Hanson (hamstring) also missed practice sessions. However, defensive lineman Solomon Thomas (knee) and cornerback Brandin Echols (concussion) returned for a limited practice. Additionally, cornerback D.J. Reed (hip), right tackle Morgan Moses (knee), cornerback Michael Carter II (back), guard Alijah Vera-Tucker (ankle), and linebacker Chazz Surratt (heel) were also limited participants in practice.