Jets sign kickers Riley Patterson, Spencer Shrader with struggling Greg Zuerlein injured

· New York Post

The Jets will have a new kicker on Thursday night against the Texans. We’re just not sure who yet. 

The team placed struggling kicker Greg Zuerlein on injured reserve on Wednesday, a day after he popped up on the injury report.

They signed Riley Patterson and Spencer Shrader to their practice squad, a day after they were among six kickers who tried out for the Jets.

The Jets signed kicker Riley Patterson (15), most recently with the Commanders, to their practice squad. Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

One of them will be elevated before kickoff on Thursday. 

Zuerlein sealed his fate on Sunday when he missed a 44-yard field goal and an extra point in a 25-22 loss to the Patriots.

It was the latest bad day for Zuerlein, who has missed six field goals this season. 

Interim coach Jeff Ulbrich would not commit to Zuerlein after the game and the Jets had tryouts at MetLife Stadium on Tuesday. 

“May the best man kick,” Ulbrich said on Tuesday. 

It has been a stunning fall for Zuerlein, who has been a reliable kicker for the Jets in the last two seasons.

He missed only three field goals last year.

The Jets signed former Colts kicker Spencer Shrader (3) to their practice squad. Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports

The Jets rewarded him with a two-year, $8.4 million contract that included $4.2 million in guaranteed money this offseason.

Zuerlein struggled in a preseason game against the Giants, missing two kicks, and those struggles have continued into the season. He has missed big kicks in three of the Jets losses. 

Patterson has made 88 percent of his field goals (59-of-67) for the Lions, Jaguars and Browns.

Jets kicker Greg Zuerlein (9) reacts after missing a kick against the Patriots on Oct. 27, 2024. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con

Shrader has only kicked in one game and has no field-goal attempts.

He made all three extra points he attempted for the Colts in a game this season. 

The Jets ruled out the following players for Thursday’s game: G Alijah Vera-Tucker (ankle), LB C.J. Mosley (neck), WR Allen Lazard (chest), S Tony Adams (hamstring), S Ashtyn Davis (concussion) and DT Lek Fotu (knee). LB Chazz Surratt (heel), OT Morgan Moses (knee) and TE Kenny Yeboah (abdomen) are all questionable. 

The Jets signed LB Marcelino McCrary-Ball to the active roster.

This is a sign that Mosley could be out for an extended time. 

The Jets released safety Jaylen Key from the practice squad.