Getty Stephen Gostkowski
The New England Patriots will need more than just a little help in their kicking game now.
Long-time kicker Stephen Gostkowski, who is the second-longest tenured Patriots player, has been placed on injured reserve, according to the Boston Globe’s Jim McBride.
BREAKING: #Patriots are placing Stephen Gostkowski on injured reserve, per league source. Story upcoming on
Gostkowski has struggled mightily this season, going just 11 for 15 on extra points and 7 for 8 in field goals. Gostkowski, who had missed just seven extra points across his first three seasons, was absent from Patriots’ practice on Wednesday while reports surfaced the team would be bringing in a group of free-agent kickers to work out this afternoon.
Gostkowski has typically been healthy for the Patriots and has exhibited his longevity over recent years. The last time he missed any period of time was in 2010 when the kicker missed the final eight games of the season due to injury.
The Patriots brought in Shayne Graham as a replacement for the end of that season. Graham made all 12 field goals he attempted but missed a pair of extra points down the stretch.
New England has only gone through two kickers over the past 24 seasons, Adam Vinatieri and Gostkowski. Now, New England will once again have to search for a new kicker.
Gostkowski Injury Requires Season-Ending Surgery
The Patriots will be without their kicker for the remainder of the 2019 NFL season, as the latest update reveals. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Gostkowski’s left hip injury requires season-ending surgery. The 35-year-old kicker is expected to be ready to go for the 2020 season.
Patriots’ kicker Stephen Gostkowski has a left hip injury that will require season-ending surgery, per source. He is expected to be ready to kick for the 2020 season.
It’s a tough blow, at least considering the fact that Gostkowski has been with the team since 2006. Putting his extra-point struggles aside, he’s been fairly consistent on field goals this season. Over 204 career games, Gostkowski has made 374-of-428 attempts with a long of 62 yards. He’s also made all but 11 extra points, and as previously mentioned, four of those misses came this season.
Potential Replacement Options
The Patriots are looking at bringing in a free agent with NFL experience based on performance in a workout on Wednesday.
There aren’t many free-agent options who stick out or who could replace the production of a healthy Gostkowski, but a few do have some pedigree.
One of the best options available is Kai Forbath. A 32-year-old free agent, Forbath has kicked for six teams in his NFL career, most recently with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Forbath has kicked field goals at 85.7 percent in his career and has hit 94 percent of his extra points. He was especially shaky in 2017 when he only hit 34 of his 39 PATs.
Another potential candidate to replace is Greg Joseph. A rookie last year who won the kicking job for the Cleveland Browns in Week 3. He kicked field goals at 70 percent accuracy in college for Florida Atlantic then managed to earn himself a contract with Cleveland after excelling in a tryout.
He went 17 for 20 kicking field goals last year with a long of 51 yards and went 25 of 29 in his PAT attempts.
Either way, it could mean punter Jake Bailey would handle kickoff duties for the remainder of the year.