Getty Cole Tracy #36 of the LSU Tigers celebrates during the second half against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Tiger Stadium on October 20, 2018 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
A record-setting kicker who helped lift LSU to a Fiesta Bowl victory in January 2019 spent some time with the Green Bay Packers this week with their starter currently on the mend.
According to the NFL’s list of visits and workouts, the Packers hosted Cole Tracy — who kicked a single-season record of 29 fields during his lone season for the Tigers — for a tryout on Thursday during a week where veteran Mason Crosby missed two practices and was limited in a third with back and calf issues.
The Packers also worked out former Chicago Bears tight end Dax Raymond, punter Johnny Townsend and long snappers Joe Fortunato and Colin Holba on Thursday; though, their tryouts with the team made official until Friday’s release from the NFL.
Before @JoeyB became an @LSUfootball legend, one of his biggest moments was leading an LSU comeback vs. Auburn in 2018, capped off by @cole__tracy’s game-winner.
Crosby is currently listed as questionable to play against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 8 and may force the Packers to sign an emergency replacement to give their roster a second kicker. Unfortunately for Tracy, the Packers’ go-to outside option would be Nick Vogel, who had previously visited with the team and has already cleared the necessary COVID-19 protocols.
Due to the circumstances of the pandemic, the Packers have been bringing in kickers (and other specialists, as evidenced by Friday’s workout list) for the past several weeks as a precaution for an unexpected absence for reasons related to COVID-19.
“We always have somebody waiting in the wings, so to speak, just in case something were to occur,” Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said Thursday. “Just with the requirements and the COVID situation, you can’t make those quick transactions. We always have people rolling through each week and we have a plan for that.”
No official roster moves were announced Friday, but the Packers have typically waited until the day before a game to make any activations, demotions or elevations. They could also activate wide receiver Allen Lazard or inside linebacker Christian Kirksey (or both) from injured reserve following their return to practice this week. Each would require a corresponding roster move.
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Packers Have Two Kicking Contingency Plans
Packers special teams coordinator Shawn Mennenga told reporters he feels “confident” Crosby will be ready for his placekicking duties against the Vikings on Sunday, which would seem to be a safe assumption given the 36-year-old veteran has never missed a game in his career.
At the same time, Mennenga conceded two backup plans in the rare event Crosby is unable to suit up this week. One involves the signing of Vogel, but the other would see the Packers push kicking duties off onto punter JK Scott. The 2018 third-round pick has clearly displayed power in his leg, drilling a 62-yard punt just last week, and he offers a solution that wouldn’t take money out of the Packers’ pocket if they believe he can also handle field goals.
“From what I understand it happened in (Week 7’s) game and (we) found out about that the day after the game,” Mennenga said Thursday of Crosby’s injury. “Obviously we’re preparing for a bunch of different scenarios and going through a lot of different things. We’re going to have a plan for whatever happens. We’ve got multiple plans going. But you can only control what you can control and we’re trying to get as many guys ready as possible and just be as prepared as we can.”
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