Jets Add Practice Squad Kicker In Case Zuerlein Can't Play vs. Browns

Originally posted on FanNation Jets Country
By Ralph Ventre | Last updated 12/27/23

The New York Jets aren't taking any chances when it comes to placekicker availability for Thursday Night Football in Cleveland.

With accomplished veteran Greg Zuerlein nursing a sore right quad, the Jets re-added Austin Siebert to the team's Practice Squad on Wednesday. Seibert spent two weeks with the Green & White while Zuerlein was dealing with a groin injury in September.

"Greg Zuerlein, he came out of the game with some right quad soreness, so we’ll see how it turns out today," said Jets' head coach Robert Saleh prior to Tuesday's practice in Florham Park.

Zuerlein, who has been fabulous all season, played the role of hero in the Jets' 30-28 victory over the Washington Commanders on December 24. He erased a one-point deficit by nailing a 54-yard field goal with 00:05 remaining in the fourth quarter. He was 3-for-3 on three-pointers in Week 16 and has missed only one field goal attempt through 14 games.

The possibility of Zuerlein suiting up for the December 28 road game is still alive, but the short week likely decreases the 36-year-old's chances of a timely recovery.

In the case of Zuerlein being unavailable, the Jets will designate Seibert as a gameday elevation for Thursday night just as they did prior to their Week 2 matchup at Dallas. Filling in for Zuerlein, Seibert made his lone field goal attempt from 34 yards in a 30-10 loss on September 17.

For his NFL career, the 27-year-old Seibert has made 45 of 56 field goal attempts (80.4 percent) with a long of 53 yards. He is a perfect 26-for-26 on three-pointers inside of 40 yards.

Should Zuerlein be healthy enough to kick field goals but not handle kickoff duties, the Jets could opt to have punter Thomas Morstead kick off like he did in Week 3 vs. New England.