NFL Player News

Tucker hasn't been as consistent as usual during training camp this year, Jeff Zrebiec of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Tucker had a 43-yard miss wiped out by a penalty in Thursday's preseason opener against Washington, but then quieted any concerns by drilling a 59-yarder at the end of the first half. He's locked in as one of the top options at his position -- the rare kicker good enough to achieve that status without being tied to a prolific offense. Tucker's slow start to training camp isn't a major concern at this point.

Coons signed with the Rams on Thursday, Mark Bodenrader of the team's official site reports.

Coons played in Cleveland in 2015 -- making 28 of 32 field goals and 22 of 24 extra points -- and was out of the league altogether last season. He's likely in camp to serve as nominal competition for five-year starter Greg Zuerlein, as well as to preserve the latter's leg in practices and preseason games. Consider Coons a long shot to make the roster.

Folk had a poor showing in Monday's practice, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The veteran missed on an attempt on the set of narrower goal posts that the Bucs have in camp, clanging it off the left upright. He also misfired while using the regulation goal posts, although if there was one saving grace for Folk, it was that his competition for kicking duties, Roberto Aguayo, seemed to have an equally poor performance. The rough session from both kickers prompted coach Dirk Koetter to emphasize with reporters that attempts under 50 yards should be virtually automatic for NFL kickers, while also remarking that he hopes to be able to declare a winner in the competition before the final roster cutdown. The battle between Folk and Aguayo will ultimately play out over preseason action, with the one concern being whether there will be sufficient field-goal opportunities for both players to stake their claim to the gig.

Santos is dealing with a groin injury, BJ Kissel of the Chiefs' official site reports.

It's doubtful that the injury will impact Santos' ability for Week 1, but it could keep him out of the preseason opener Friday against the 49ers. If that's the case, the Chiefs may opt to sign a kicker in the short term, but Santos' job wouldn't be in any peril as a result.

The Saints signed kicker Patrick Murray on Sunday to join Lutz on the roster, NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reports.

Given his strong performance as a rookie, particularly late in the season, Lutz wasn't expected to have serious competition for the job this year. Murray may just be an insurance policy, as Lutz has reportedly looked good at training camp so far, according to Josh Katzenstein of The Times-Picayune. Lutz is still one of the top options at his position.

Prater drilled field goals of 55 and 56 yards during the first half of Friday's mock scrimmage, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Prater also made a 43-yarder, but missed a rushed 55-yard attempt the coaches threw in at the very end of the first half. Despite the miscue, Prater was very impressive all things considered and already appears to be in midseason form. The veteran kicker was a perfect 7-for-7 from beyond 50 yards last season -- only Baltimore's Justin Tucker converted more from that range -- and is firmly entering the 2017 campaign as a fantasy-worthy option at kicker.

Lutz doesn't have any competition at training camp, ESPN.com's Mike Triplett reports.

Lutz made the team as an undrafted rookie last season and converted 28 of 34 field-goal attempts as well as 49 of 50 PATs, with all of the misses coming in the first 10 games. His strong finish to the season convinced the Saints to hand him the job for 2017, making Lutz one of the top fantasy options at his position so long as Drew Brees stays healthy.

Folk, who is battling Roberto Aguayo for the placekicking job, made four of five field-goal attempts at the end of Sunday's practice, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The Bucs brought in Folk, a 32-year-old veteran, to give the second-year Aguayo serious competition following Aguayo's uneven rookie campaign. The battle between the two started in OTAs, with Folk seemingly holding a slight edge afterward, but the two kickers were dead even Sunday. A final decision on the victor isn't likely to come until after the Bucs' final preseason game.

McManus has signed his one-year, $2.8 million contract tender with the Broncos, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports.

McManus, the most accurate kicker in Broncos history (min. 20 attempts), was previously a restricted free agent who was hesitant to sign his contract offer this offseason in hopes of landing a long-term deal. Considering the Broncos tendered him to a second-round pick, the kicker is clearly a valued member of the team, so it only seems to be a matter of time before he gets his wish.

Koehn has become a legitimate contender for Minnesota's kicking job in challenging Kai Forbath during OTAs, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Koehn is seen having more leg strength than Forbath during OTAs. Forbath is under contract for next season and made all 15 field-goal attempts last season, so he's still a heavy favorite to win the job. However, it sounds like the competition won't just be for show this summer.