NFL Player News

Fairbairn was successful on his lone field-goal attempt, a 53-yard effort, in Sunday's 31-5 loss to Arizona.

Fairbairn's established a strong leg and accuracy during his stay in Houston, but he's challenged by an offense that has scored just 30 points over the last four games. Sunday's game was the third time in those four games he's had just one field-goal attempt. If or until the offense can get on track, Fairbairn is a placekicker to avoid. The silver lining is that Tyrod Taylor (hamstring) could return Week 8 against the Rams, which could generate more offense.

Koo made all three of his field-goal attempts and all three of his extra-point tries during Sunday's 30-28 win over the Dolphins.

Koo has yet to miss this season, as he is a perfect 10-for-10 on field-goal attempts and 13-for-13 on extra-point tries. The 27-year-old also now has two game-winning kicks as time expires on the season. While his production was limited by Atlanta's offense to start the season, the Falcons have now scored 30, 27 and 30 points in their last three contests, which has directly increased Koo's production. If Koo's efficiency can be complemented by a consistent offense on a week-to-week basis, he may finish as one of the top-scoring fantasy kickers during the 2021 campaign.

Santos converted his lone field-goal attempt in the Bears' 38-3 loss to the Buccaneers on Sunday.

Santos scored Chicago's only points in a blowout loss. He's averaging just five points per game while not surpassing eight in any contest, making him one of the lowest-upside kickers in the league.

Folk (knee) is listed as active for Sunday's game against the Jets.

Folk has been a regular on New England's injury report of late, but he has yet to miss a game while managing his left knee issue. Through his first six games to date, the veteran kicker has made 14 of his 15 field-goal tries en route to notching 51 points. After a Week 6 in which he was limited to three extra-point tries in an OT loss to the Cowboys, Folk should have a chance to engineer a fantasy bounce-back Sunday versus the 1-4 Jets.

McManus didn't attempt a field goal in Thursday's 17-14 loss to the Browns but made both of his PAT attempts.

McManus' underwhelming night was a byproduct of the Denver offense struggling to get into scoring position Thursday. This could continue to be an issue for the veteran kicker unless the Broncos can move the ball more effectively. McManus has yet to miss a kick in the 2021 campaign, and he'll look to keep that streak going when the Broncos host Washington in Week 8.

Folk (left knee) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Jets after logging limited practices this week.

Folk has been a regular on the Patriots' injury report since Week 4, but he has yet to miss a game since then, and we don't expect that to change this weekend. Through six games, Folk has made 14 of his 15 field-goal tries en route to recording 51 points. He looks like a solid streaming option against the 1-4 Jets in Week 7, especially with six kickers across the league on bye this week.

McLaughlin converted one of two field-goal attempts and two of two extra-point kicks in Thursday's 17-14 win over Denver.

McLaughlin was good from 52 yards -- he's 4-of-4 this season from 50 and beyond -- but had a 41-yard attempt blocked. While the failed attempt is technically a missed field goal, McLaughlin has been perfect on kicks that are not blocked in 2021. The Browns have suffered a spate of injuries to key skill-position players, which could break either way for a kicker. Last week, McLaughlin had just two points in a blowout loss to the Cardinals; this week, he was in position for an eight-point game, plus whatever bonus fantasy leagues might hand out for field goals from 50 yards and beyond.

Folk (knee) practiced in limited fashion Wednesday.

Folk has been on the injury report with the knee issue since Week 3 against New Orleans, but he has yet to miss a game. Given that he has played through the injury for several consecutive weeks, it should be presumed that he will once again be active for a Week 7 matchup against the Jets barring a setback.

Bass made all three of his field-goal attempts and both of his extra-point tries in Monday night's 34-31 loss to the Titans.

Bass converted from 24 and 52 yards on his respective field goals, continuing his superb start to the season. Heading into the Bills' bye week, he's missed just one of 36 total attempts, racking up an NFL-best 63 points at his position.

Washington released Hopkins on Wednesday.

The Football Team signed Chris Blewitt off the practice squad in a corresponding move, and he'll take over as Washington's kicker beginning with Sunday's game in Green Bay. Hopkins' time in the nation's capital comes to an end after six-plus seasons, with the 31-year-old converting on 84 percent of his field-goal attempts and 94.2 percent of his extra-point tries over that stretch. Hopkins had knocked down a respectable 12 of 14 field-goal attempts in 2021, but his 42-yard misfire in the third quarter of last week's loss to the Chiefs was enough for Washington to close the book on him and move on with Blewitt.