NFL Player News

Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy said Wednesday that Zuerlein (back) is still on track for Week 1, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.

The Cowboys' decision to sign kicker Lirim Hajrullahu has to do with Zuerlein's main camp competition, Hunter Niswander ,"having an issue," according to McCarthy. Zuerlein, meanwhile, hasn't experienced any setbacks in his recovery from offseaosn back surgery and has recently started to ramp up his activity, including handling some kicking reps at practice. Dallas' roster moves all through the offseason have reflected confidence in Zuerlein's chances of suiting up in the Sept. 9 season opener at Tampa Bay.

Maher (groin) reverted to the Saints' injured reserve Tuesday, Amie Just of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

Maher picked up a groin injury shortly after signing with New Orleans on Aug. 9, and he'll shift to injured reserve after being waived/injured Monday. The Saints will need to bring in another kicker to fill in for Wil Lutz, who is expected to be sidelined into October after undergoing core muscle surgery.

Patterson (undisclosed) cleared waivers and reverted to Minnesota's injured reserve Tuesday, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Patterson was waived/injured by the Vikings on Monday and will remain with the organization after passing through the waiver wire unclaimed. He'll remain on injured reserve all season unless an injury settlement is reached with the team.

Elliott is considered day-to-day due to an ankle injury, Eliot Shorr-Parks of Sports Radio 94 WIP Philadelphia reports.

Elliott turned in a strong performance during last Thursday's preseason game against the Steelers, in which he converted all three of his field-goal attempts, but he appears to have since picked up an ankle injury at practice. The Eagles could need to bring in another kicker to handle reps while Elliott recovers.

Joseph looks set to begin the season as Minnesota's placekicker after Riley Patterson was waived/injured by the Vikings on Monday.

It's possible the Vikings could sign another kicker before the regular season, but for now, Joseph is the clear starter after converting both field-goal attempts in Saturday's preseason game.

Maher (groin) was waived/injured by the Saints on Monday, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football

Maher was brought in to replace Wil Lutz (abdomen) until his expected return in October. However, he suffered a groin injury that has now resulted in him being let go. Should he go unclaimed on waivers, he will revert back to the team's injured reserve.

Patterson (undisclosed) was waived/injured by the Vikings on Monday.

Patterson opened training camp on the PUP list before being activated in early August, and it's unclear if he aggravated that injury or if he's dealing with a new issue. Regardless, Greg Joseph is now the lone kicker on Minnesota's roster.

The Raiders activated Carlson (undisclosed) from the reserve/COVID-19 list Monday.

Considering Carlson has resided on the list since Aug. 1, he likely tested positive for the virus, but the team isn't obligated to reveal as much. In any case, he's back and is now the only kicker on the roster after Dominik Eberle was waived Monday.

Fairbairn was successful on all four of his field-goal attempts in Saturday's 26-7 win over the Packers in Preseason Week 1.

Fairbairn connected from 37, 25, 41 and 42 yards in the win, as the offense failed to finish off multiple drives. That could be a harbinger of the regular season for an offense that features several new pieces under a new head coach. The four three-pointers in one game resembles the 2018 season, when Fairbairn led the NFL with 42 field-goal attempts and 150 points.

Joseph made both of his field-goal attempts, from 34 and 25 yards, in Saturday's preseason loss to Denver.

The Vikings let Joseph handle kicking duties in the preseason opener. Riley Patterson is likely to handle duties in the second preseason game as the two battle for the starting job. Joseph is viewed as the favorite and held serve Saturday.