NFL Player News

Santos (groin) is expected to return to practice this week, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports.

Santos' groin problem has kept him sidelined for over two weeks, leaving him behind the eight ball in his preparation for the regular season. Fortunately, he's anticipated to get some work in this week, which figures to bode well for his Week 1 availability. Santos ranked fifth among qualified kickers last season, making 88.6 percent of his field goals.

Koehn converted a 58-yard field goal but missed a 47-yard field goal attempt, in Sunday's preseason win over the 49ers. He remains in a tight battle with Kai Forbath for Minnesota's kicking job.

He was given kicking duties for the game with Forbath given the night off. Forbath will work the final preseason game with Koehn sitting out. Koehn showed off his strong leg with the 58-yard conversion, but the 47-yard miss may cause him to lose the job.

Prater didn't attempt a field goal but converted all four of his PATs during Friday's preseason game against the Patriots.

The last time Prater went an entire game without attempting a field goal was Week 14 of the 2015 season, so the kicker's minimal usage Friday isn't a great example of what to expect from him this year (he attempted at least two field goals in 12 of 16 games in 2016). Last week's exhibition against the Jets is probably a better indicator, as the Lions offense got off to a much better start and Prater ultimately ended the day with three field goals -- including one from 50 yards out.

Myers connected on a 44-yard field goal attempt in Thursday's preseason matchup against the Panthers.

The Jaguars brought in multiple free-agent kickers after Myers struggled in the team's second preseason game Aug. 17, but Myers bounced back Thursday, hitting both of his extra-point attempts in addition to the field goal. The job remains Myers' to lose, and if he finishes out the exhibition season with a solid showing in Atlanta next week, the job should be his heading into Week 1.

Franks converted his only field-goal attempt during Thursday's preseason game against the Eagles.

The Dolphins were able to get into the end zone five times Thursday, which contributed to Franks' low usage. However, the third-year kicker was perfect on all of his PATs and looked plenty ready for the regular season after sending a 56-yarder through the uprights just before halftime.

Butker did not attempt a kick during Thursday's preseason game against the Jaguars.

Butker saw Graham Gano convert both of the Panthers' kicks (one field goal and one extra point), which ramps up the pressure in the rookie's quest to unseat the veteran incumbent. Next Thursday's fourth and final preseason game against the Steelers shapes up as the seventh-round pick's last shot to win the starting job.

Gano converted his lone field-goal and extra-point attempts en route to four points in Thursday's preseason game against the Jaguars.

Gano converted from 31 yards out on Carolina's only field-goal try of the evening. That precluded rookie Harrison Butker from getting any action, while boosting Gano's performance during the preseason.

Folk was perfect on his five field-goal attempts during Thursday's final camp practice, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Folk bounced back nicely this week after likely fraying some nerves last Thursday against the Jaguars by missing a field-goal attempt and seeing an extra point get blocked. The veteran nailed all five of his attempts Thursday on the 8.5-foot wide "skinny" goalposts that the Bucs had installed in camp this summer. While he'll naturally need to continue getting it done in game action on a consistent basis, Folk's extensive NFL resume lends credence to the belief that he can handle the demands of the job.

Santos (groin) won't play in Friday's preseason tilt with the Seahawks, Terez A. Paylor of The Kansas City Star reports.

While we haven't reverted to panic mode quite yet, it is somewhat alarming that Santos' groin has kept him sidelined for over two weeks now. The Chiefs remain committed to Santos, but unless he can back to full health relatively soon it may be a good idea to look elsewhere for your early-season kicking services.

Gonzalez converted on his only field-goal attempt against the Giants on Monday.

It's still unclear who will win the Browns' kicking competition, but Gonzalez surely didn't do anything to lose it Monday. He nailed a 39-yarder and watched incumbent kicker Cody Parkey make his only extra-point attempt.