NFL Player News

Fairbairn received a second-round tender from the Texans on Monday, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports.

The Texans won't take any chances with their starting kicker, who converted every kick he attempted inside 40 yards last season and was the NFL's scoring leader. Houston would receive a second-round pick in the unlikely event that Fairbairn receives an offer sheet the team doesn't want to match. Fairbairn appears on track to be a top fantasy option at the kicker position in 2019.

The Raiders tendered Carlson to an exclusive-rights contract Thursday, Michael Gehlken of the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports.

He only attempted 17 field goals over 10 games with the Raiders last season, but Carlson nonetheless set a franchise record for accuracy (94 percent) while drilling all three of his tries from 50-plus yards. While he'll now stick around in Oakland on a cheap contract, the Raiders offense will need to attempt more than 1.5 field goals per game for Carlson to surface on the fantasy radar.

Elliott is staying with the Eagles on a one-year contract for 2019, Jeff McLane of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Elliott was scheduled to become an exclusive rights free agent, essentially locking him in for another year in Philadelphia even before Friday's agreement. The 24-year-old kicker has converted 83.9 percent of field-goal attempts and 93.5 percent of PATs through two seasons, including 19 of 21 from 40-49 yards and seven of 11 from 50-plus. Given his attachment to an above-average offense, Elliott makes sense as a low-end kicker option with some upside in the final round of 2019 fantasy drafts.

General manager Kevin Colbert indicated that Boswell (groin) will have competition for his position ahead of the upcoming season, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reports.

Boswell is due a $2 million roster bonus in March, so if he sticks around through the offseason to actually "have competition," he'd probably have a long leash entering the preseason. The hope is that Boswell can return to his 2017 Pro Bowl form.

Bryant said Tuesday that he wants to continue playing in the NFL and remains confident in his abilities to perform at a high level, Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com reports. "I want to go where I'm wanted," the 43-year-old kicker explained. "I can still hit from 57 yards. I can still make the game-winning kick."

Atlanta elected to let go of the ever-reliable Bryant last Wednesday, clearing up cap space for much-needed roster moves on both sides of the ball and providing Giorgio Tavecchio with an opportunity to become the Falcons' full-time place kicker. There are multiple teams who could use the services of Bryant, who connected on an extraordinary 20 of 21 field-goal tries last year. Though his ultimate destination remains up in the air, there is one team of the seven that posted a sub-80 percent field-goal rate that seems to make a lot of sense. When asked about returning to the Buccaneers, an organization in which he spent four seasons between 2005 and 2008, Bryant reported to ESPN's Vaughn McClure that "They are definitely an option. I could definitely (see myself) going back there to play. Bucs special teams coach Keith (Armstrong) knows me, and I know him."

Tavecchio is expected to replace Matt Bryant as the Falcons' kicker for 2019, Jason Butt of The Athletic reports.

The team informed Bryant of his release Wednesday, presumably intending to go cheap at the position. Tavecchio's strong performance in 2018 may have contributed to the plan, as he didn't miss any kicks (five field goals and eight extra points) in the three games he played when Bryant was injured. It's still possible the Falcons could bring in competition, considering Tavecchio missed five field goals with Oakland in 2017. He doesn't need to be great to provide fantasy utility, with the Falcons playing in a dome and coming off five consecutive seasons finishing eighth or better in total yards.

Bryant announced Wednesday via his personal Twitter account that the Falcons informed him of his release from the roster.

Bryant's post came a day after he noted that he intends to continue his career. If that's the case, Bryant will likely now need to find a home outside Atlanta, where he spent the past 10 seasons. He converted 88.7 percent of his field-goal attempts in a Falcons uniform, including 20 of 21 (95.2 percent) during the 2018 campaign. The 43-year-old missed three games with a hamstring injury, and he's been bothered by his back at times the past few seasons. Even with concerns about his durability, Bryant shouldn't have much trouble finding another job.

Bryant said via Twitter on Tuesday that he is not retiring.

Bryant is coming off his most efficient season as a kicker, as he made 20 of 21 field goals in 2018. The longtime Falcon will turn 44 in May and is under contract for two more seasons in Atlanta, as the team is likely to happily welcome his return in 2019.

Zuerlein (foot) knocked down one of his two field-goal attempts Sunday in the Rams' 13-3 loss to the Patriots in Super Bowl LIII.

Zuerlein's misfire came from 48 yards out with five seconds remaining, when the game was essentially already decided. It won't diminish what was another outstanding regular season and postseason for the 31-year-old, whose 53-yarder in the third quarter was the second-longest in Super Bowl history. The Rams earned their spot in the big game in the first place thanks to Zuerlein's game-winning 57-yard conversion in overtime against the Saints in the NFC Championship Game.

Zuerlein (foot) doesn't have an injury designation for the Super Bowl, Ryan Hannable of WEEI.com reports.

The Rams have scaled back their kicker's reps during practice, but there was never any real doubt about his availability for Sunday. Zuerlein played through the injury in his plant foot during the NFC Championship Game, converting field goals from 48 and 57 yards to tie and then win the game.