The New York Jets are shaking up their kicker situation but stopping short of cutting ties with Greg Zuerlein, despite a lackluster season thus far. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero revealed that the Jets signed kickers Riley Patterson and Spencer Shrader to the practice squad, but Zuerlein’s job isn’t gone just yet. Instead, the team is opting to give him some time to “get his knee right,” according to Pelissero, as Patterson or Shrader will handle Thursday night’s kicks in the Jets’ Week 9 matchup against the Houston Texans.
Interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich didn’t disclose any injury news regarding Zuerlein in his recent press conference, making Zuerlein’s knee issue appear somewhat unexpected. But when the Jets’ official injury report dropped later in the day, Zuerlein was listed as “limited” with a knee injury. ESPN’s Rich Cimini speculated that Zuerlein could end up on injured reserve, which would sideline him for a minimum of four games. That timeline would see him missing contests against the Texans, Cardinals, Colts, and Seahawks, with the team’s Week 11 bye offering an additional recovery window.
Zuerlein’s season has been rough, to say the least, and a stint on IR could buy him time to recalibrate. The Jets, who handed him $4.1 million in guaranteed money this offseason, may hope that a break from game-day pressures could help him find his rhythm before potentially returning in Week 14 against the Dolphins.
For now, Patterson and Shrader offer the Jets an emergency option, keeping Zuerlein’s spot warm while he rests, rehabs, and ideally returns stronger.
