NFL Player News

Elliott missed three of four kicks in Wednesday's practice, while veteran Randy Bullock made all four of his attempts, Geoff Hobson from Bengals.com reports.

Prior to this week the two kickers both were kicking well, and neither missed a kick in the Bengals' first preseason game. The presumption is that Elliott was the favorite heading into camp, given that the team spent a fifth-round pick to make him the first kicker selected in the draft. This might be a job battle that goes down to the wire.

Santos (groin) did not participate in Tuesday's practice session, Blair Kerkhoff of The Kansas City Star reports.

Santos continues to deal with a nagging groin issue but there's no indication to this point that he will miss any regular-season action because of it. When healthy, he should resume his role as the team's placekicker.

Fairbairn (quad) kicked the Texans' lone field goal attempt in their preseason opener, Deepi Sidhu of the Texans' official website reports.

Fairbairn, who spent 2016 on the team's injured reserve, nailed the 25-yard attempt. It is unclear why he got the opportunity over Nick Novak, but the latter still figures to be the favorite to win the role.

The competition between Koehn and Kai Forbath for Minnesota's kicking job remains close, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. Koehn converted an extra point, but did not attempt a field goal in Minnesota's first preseason game.

Koehn is seen having more leg strength than Forbath, which gives him the edge on kickoffs. However, it's hard to see the Vikings giving the job to Koehn, who hasn't kicked in regular-season NFL game, over a veteran. Plus, Forbath made all 15 field-goal attempts last season. Still, it sounds like this job battle may not be decided until late in training camp.

Gonzalez made all five of his field-goal attempts during Tuesday's practice, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

Gonzalez was drafted in the seventh round of the 2017 NFL Draft in order to compete with incumbent Cody Parkey, but while the rookie had a stronger day than his competitor on Tuesday, Parkey still has the upper hand. The next few preseason games should paint a clearer picture as to whom will win the job.

Hocker signed a contract with the Buccaneers on Sunday, ESPN's Jenna Laine reports.

After a round of tryouts with other kickers to replace the departed Roberto Aguayo, Hocker evidently came out on top and will provide the Bucs with an extra leg for the preseason. However, he likely faces long odds of uprooting Nick Folk prior to Week 1.

Santos (groin) isn't expected to play in Friday's preseason contest against the 49ers, BJ Kissel of the Chiefs' official site reports.

A groin injury has conspired to hold Santos out of the preseason opener, pushing Sam Ficken into a featured role for the time being. Once healthy, Santos will resume his role as the unquestioned kicker in Kansas City.

Barth made his lone field-goal attempt while converting a pair of extra-point attempts Thursday against the Broncos.

Barth's field goal was a 25-yard chip shot, as he had a quiet night in the preseason opener. Since he enters the season on an offense that's not expected to be explosive, he'll likely be an uninspiring fantasy option.

Butker made a 51-yard field goal and his lone extra point en route to four points in Wednesday's preseason game against the Texans.

Butker watched Graham Gano handle Carolina's starting kicking duties, but considering Gano missed a 50-yard attempt, the rookie seventh-rounder's 51-yard make should help close the gap in the Panthers' kicking competition.

Gano made one of his two field-goal attempts and both of his extra points en route to five points in Wednesday's preseason game against the Texans.

Gano made good from 45 yards but hit the left upright on a 50-yard try to end Carolina's opening drive. After Gano's night was finished, he watched rookie Harrison Butker drain a 51-yard attempt, which should heat up the Panthers' kicking competition.