NFL Player News

Fairbairn converted two of three field-goal attempts and both extra-point kicks in Sunday's 35-20 loss to the Packers.

Fairbairn shanked a 38-yard attempt, just his second miss of the season, but benefitted from two stalled red-zone trips to register eight points. It was the third time in the last four games he's had multiple field goals.

Lutz converted both of his field-goal attempts and all three of his extra-point attempts in the Saints' 27-24 win over the Panthers on Sunday.

Lutz -- who hasn't missed a kick all season -- stayed perfect in this one, converting all five of his kicks, including the go-ahead field goal midway through the fourth quarter. Notched at 24 points apiece following the third quarter, Lutz knocked in a 43-yarder to give New Orleans a three-point edge that it would not relinquish. Lutz will look to keep the momentum going in Week 8 against a Bears team that has allowed the most field-goal attempts to opposing kickers this season.

Koo went 2-for-2 on extra-point attempts during Sunday's 23-22 loss to the Lions.

Koo had provided steady production with an average of three field-goal conversions per game Weeks 1 through 6, but he wasn't afforded a single try in a home loss to Detroit. The Falcons did go for it twice on fourth downs, with one of those attempts involving the decision to pass on a potential 30-yard attempt from Koo. He may garner more opportunities Week 8 during a Thursday night matchup against the Panthers, as Carolina's red-zone defense has been reasonably effective in holding opponents to a 65.2 percent TD rate this season.

Castillo made his lone field-goal attempt from 29 yards out and converted a PAT in Sunday's 18-10 loss to Buffalo.

New York didn't ask much of Castillo in his NFL debut, but he was perfect in his limited opportunities. If Sam Ficken (groin) doesn't heal in time to face the Chiefs in Week 8, Castillo should continue to fill in.

Castillo will serve as the Jets' kicker Sunday against the Bills with Sam Ficken (groin) inactive for the contest, Randy Lange of the Jets' official site reports.

After being added to the active roster from the practice squad Saturday, Castillo will be making his NFL debut while Ficken sits for the first time this season. A former CFL All-Star, Castillo converted 87 percent of his field-goal attempts while playing north of the border from 2015 through 2019.

Elliott was 1-for-2 on field-goal attempts and added an extra point in Thursday's 22-21 win over the Giants.

The make was Elliott's first successful field-goal conversion since Week 4 against San Francisco. Opportunities have been few and far between for the 25-year-old this season, and he has also been inconsistent from long distance, and Thursday he missed a chippy from 29 yards. He has a get-right matchup in Week 8 with Dallas, however.

Castillo is expected to start at kicker Sunday against the Bills, Kristian Dyer of SI.com reports.

Castillo is currently on the Jets' practice squad, but with Sam Ficken (groin) considered doubtful, he'll either be elevated or promoted to the active roster before Sunday's contest. Castillo was a CFL All-Star back in 2019 after making 42 of 45 field goals (91.1 percent). This will be his NFL debut, and he could be in line for a handful of opportunities since the Bills have allowed 28 points per game. Of course, being attached to the Jets' offense won't do him any favors.

The Panthers activated Slye from the reserve/COVID-19 list Friday, Myles Simmons of the team's official site reports.

Slye's activation after just two days suggests the kicker's placement on the list may just have been precautionary. He's now on track to fill his normal duties Sunday at New Orleans. Slye has connected on 16 of 18 field-goal attempts through six games this season.

Gano appeared to tweak his right leg during his final kickoff in the fourth quarter of Thursday's 22-21 loss to the Eagles, Tom Canavan of the Associated Press reports.

Gano drilled all three of his extra-point attempts before the kickoff and wasn't needed thereafter. The Eagles scored a go-ahead touchdown on the ensuing possession before Giants quarterback Daniel Jones coughed up a game-sealing fumble with less than 30 seconds left. Because the Giants were unable to advance the ball far enough down the field for a potential game-winning field goal, it's unclear if Gano would have been able to kick. Gano's status should gain clarity when the Giants release their first Week 8 injury report next Thursday.

The Panthers placed Slye on the reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday.

Slye's placement on the list means that he has either tested positive for COVID-19 or has been in close contact with another person who has tested positive. The Panthers don't currently have another kicker on the roster, so look for the team to make a transaction ahead of Sunday's game against the Saints. Slye will remain in isolation from the team until he tests negative for the coronavirus on two occasions at least 24 hours apart.