Jets Sign 2 Star Kickers to Practice Squad, Place K Greg Zuerlein on IR
The Jets have signed kickers Riley Patterson and Spencer Shrader to their practice squad and placed K Greg Zuerlein on Injured Reserve. Additionally, they have added LB Marcelino McCrary-Ball to the active roster and released S Jaylen Key from the practice squad.
Patterson, a 6-foot, 190-pound kicker, was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Vikings in 2021 after playing at Memphis. He spent the 2024 training camp with the Commanders before being released in August. In the preseason, he successfully converted 2 of 3 field-goal attempts and 1 extra point. Over five NFL seasons, Patterson has achieved an 88% success rate on field goals (59 of 67) and a 96% success rate on extra points (93 of 97), including 19 of 25 from 40 yards or more.
Shrader, standing 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighing 200 pounds, was signed by the Colts as an undrafted free agent after the 2024 NFL Draft. He was elevated for Week 1 due to an injury to Matt Gay, successfully making all 3 of his extra-point attempts, but was released on October 2. He re-signed a week later, only to be released again on October 16. Shrader had a strong college career, kicking for USF before transferring to Notre Dame in 2024, where he converted 15 of 22 field-goal attempts, including a career-long of 54 yards.
The Jets are expected to elevate either Patterson or Shrader ahead of their Week 9 matchup against the Houston Texans (6-2).
Zuerlein, who has played in all 8 games this season, has made 60% of his field-goal attempts (9 of 15) and 93% of his extra points (13 of 14). Last season, he converted 92.1% of his field-goal attempts and set a franchise record with 26 consecutive makes. Now in his 13th season, Zuerlein has also played for the Rams and the Cowboys, with a career-long field goal of 61 yards.
McCrary-Ball, a 6-foot, 214-pound linebacker, has been elevated for 3 games this season, primarily contributing on special teams. A former Indiana player, he initially signed with the Jets’ practice squad in August 2023 and has appeared in 2 games for the team.
Jaylen Key, the last pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, recorded 11 tackles in the preseason before being released and later re-signed to the practice squad. He spent five seasons at UAB before transferring to Alabama for the 2023 season.
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