NFL Player News

Butker (ankle) returned to Sunday's game against the Cardinals late in the second quarter, Tyler Drake of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Butker was carted off the field in the first quarter of Sunday's season opener due to an ankle injury, but he made a 54-yard field goal with his ankle taped up shortly before halftime. Although Justin Reid handled most of the kicking duties for Kansas City in the first half, it appears as though Butker will be available for the remainder of the game if needed.

Butker (ankle) was carted off the field Sunday against the Cardinals, Tyler Drake of ArizonaSports.com reports. He's officially questionable to return.

The nature and significance of Butker's injury is still unknown, but being carted off the field would typically signify something significant. With Butker out, safety Justin Reid successfully kicked an extra-point attempt for the Chiefs, and he's also handling kickoffs.

Maher was elevated to the Cowboys' active roster Saturday, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports.

Expect the Cowboys to repeat this process for Maher over the next three weeks as the team manipulates the practice squad elevations. The veteran kicker easily won the job during training camp and should be an interesting fantasy option even with the Cowboys limited offensively without standout left tackle Tyron Smith (leg) and stud wide receiver Michael Gallup (knee).

Gay connected on a 57-yard field goal and made his only extra-point attempt in the Rams' 31-10 loss to the Bills on Thursday night.

Gay got only a single opportunity to show off one of the most reliable legs in the NFL during the Rams' season opener, but he did so in spectacular fashion, drilling a lengthy 57-yard field goal in the second quarter to tie the game. That would be the last time Gay would take the field, as the Bills shut down the Rams offense from there. Gay should have more chances to produce in a Week 2 showdown with the Falcons.

Fairbairn (undisclosed) isn't listed on Wednesday's injury report.

Fairbairn missed the preseason finale, but as expected, he'll be good to go for Sunday's regular-season opener against the Colts. The sixth-year kicker has made 83.8 percent of his field goals over his first five seasons in Houston, including a perfect 59-for-59 from inside 40 yards over the last four years.

Gano (concussion) isn't listed on Wednesday's injury report, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

Gano suffered a concussion while trying to make a tackle during the Giants' second preseason game, but as expected, he'll be good to go for Week 1 in Tennessee. Over his last two seasons in New York, the veteran kicker has made 38 of 40 extra-point tries and 60 of 65 field-goal attempts, including 12 of 16 from beyond 50 yards.

The Jaguars signed McCourt to the practice squad Thursday, Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com reports.

McCourt began training camp with the Chargers but was waived before landing in Jacksonville. He was waived again when rosters became final Tuesday, but he will serve as depth in his first season as a professional.

Maher agreed to a deal Wednesday to join the Cowboys' practice squad and is expected to serve as Dallas' kicker in the team's Sept. 11 season opener against Tampa Bay, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Maher previously kicked for the Cowboys in 2018 and 2019 before replacing an injured Wil Lutz with New Orleans last season. He then joined the Cowboys in early August to provide competition, and within two weeks, Maher was the only kicker left on the roster. He may prove functional for fantasy, regardless of his roster status, as the Cowboys typically have played at a fast pace and moved the ball effectively when they've had quarterback Dak Prescott in the lineup. Granted, things may not be as smooth in the campaign ahead, with left tackle Tyron Smith (leg) expected to miss most, if not all of the season, and with the wideout room much thinner than it was in 2021. Maher has a strong leg -- he's converted from 63 and 62 yards in games during his career -- but he struggled with mid-range kicks during his previous stint with the Cowboys and missed a couple extra-point attempts for the Saints last year. He could be replaced in a hurry if he struggles early in the season.

The Jaguars waived McCourt on Wednesday.

McCourt, an undrafted rookie out of Illinois, and Jake Verity (undisclosed) both made the team's initial 53-man roster, but both kickers were let go Wednesday to make room for a number of waiver claims, including former Lions kicker Riley Patterson. McCourt appeared in only one preseason game with Jacksonville and made both of his field-goal attempts, including a 54-yarder.

The Jaguars claimed Patterson off waivers from the Lions on Wednesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Patterson re-signed with the Lions in late April after he served as Detroit's kicker for seven games in 2021, but he was unable to beat out Austin Seibert for a roster spot during the preseason. Patterson quickly found a new home in Jacksonville and appears in line to be the Jaguars top place kicker after the team waived recently acquired Jake Verity and James McCourt to open up roster spots for several waiver claims.