Zane Gonzalez‘s rough day in New Orleans has prompted the Browns to sign another kicker. They’re bringing rookie UDFA Greg Joseph aboard, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.
Joseph worked out for Cleveland prior to Week 1 and then again on Monday morning. The Florida Atlantic product landed with the Dolphins shortly after the draft but could not make their 53-man roster.
Indications coming out of Cleveland earlier today pointed to Gonzalez being replaced. The Browns also worked out Cairo Santos and Blair Walsh but will go with a far less experienced player. Gonzalez missed two field goals and two extra points in a three-point loss to the Saints. The Browns remain in search of their first win since Christmas Eve 2016 but have seen kicking woes potentially stop them from being 2-0 to start 2018.
Gonzalez, though, has been battling a groin injury, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reports (on Twitter), helping to explain his recent trouble. Gonzalez will undergo an MRI Monday. This could lead to the Browns waiving him with an injury designation.
Joseph was Florida Atlantic’s kicker from 2014-17. He made 71.4 percent of his field goals in each of his final two Owls seasons and connected on 64 of 68 extra points as a senior.
The Browns chose Gonzalez in the seventh round out of Arizona State last year, and if he’s off the roster soon, this will mean yet another previous regime’s investment is out of the picture. John Dorsey‘s continued to go in that direction since taking over in Cleveland. Gonzalez made 15 of 20 field goals and 25 of 26 PATs as a rookie but struggled immensely against the Saints, essentially negating any progress he’d made in Year 1.
Wow
WTF!!!!!
Why is everyone passing on Dan Bailey? Would be a reliable kicker, especially under pressure, who has already proved himself in this league.
Dan Bailey said he has no interest in playing for the Browns.
He wants to wait for the right situation for a contender.
Look bright side Failand Browns fans…at least you don’t have Minnesotas kicker
Dan Bailey?
Why not Ross Martin?
Ross Martin or a veteran would have been my choice. But they didn’t get Blair Walsh, so that’s really all I care about.
Wait! Brown’s fan, your choice kicker just landed in Minnesota. But on the positive side, if Minnesota is who you want to emulate: Dan Carlson, Kai Forbath, and Blair Walsh are all available. For punters: Ryan Quigley, and Jeff Locke are out there as well.