NFL Player News

Sam Ficken was released last week, leaving Myers as the only placekicker on Jacksonville's roster, The Florida Times-Union reports.

Myers responded to his victory in the kicking battle by missing both of his field-goal attempts in Thursday's preseason finale against Atlanta. While he does offers upside in the event Jacksonville's young offense takes another step forward, Myers could quickly lose his job if he struggles early in the season. He made 26 of his 30 field-goal attempts (86.7 percent) as a rookie last year, but converted PATs at a horrid 82.1-percent clip (32 of 39).

Barth signed a contract with the Bears on Monday, Brad Briggs of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Barth was expected to sign with the Bears, so this announcement comes as more of a formality. Now, despite losing the kicking battle in New Orleans, Barth will still be one of the 32 starting kickers in the NFL come Week 1, but it's unlikely he ever flirts with upper-end fantasy value in 2016.

The Bears are expected to sign Barth, who was released by the Saints on Saturday, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Despite losing to Kai Forbath in a preseason battle, Barth is positioned to enter Week 1 with one of the 32 starting kicking jobs. The Bears are releasing long-time kicker Robbie Gould, who was often useful for fantasy purposes despite being attached to mediocre and sub-par offenses. Barth may be worth a look for the kicker-needy, but he's unlikely to emerge as a high-end option.

Graham was cut by the Falcons on Friday, ESPN's Vaughn McClure reports.

Graham was brought into Atlanta after fellow Matt Bryant got injured last season with five games remaining. In his abbreviated stint with the team, Graham converted 11 of 13 field goal tries, which earned him the opportunity to compete with Bryant to start this season. However, following the preseason, the Falcons have apparently now opted to stick with Bryant, sending the 19-year veteran Graham packing.

Bryant connected on a 27-yard field goal and hit both of his extra points in Thursday's preseason finale against the Jaguars.

Bryant had missed some time during training camp with an undisclosed injury, but it appears that's behind him now. The fact that he made all three of his attempts while Shayne Graham missed a 32-yard attempt bodes well for the veteran's chance of winning the job. We'll know for sure come Saturday.

After four preseason games, it's still unclear Barth or Kai Forbath will enter the season as the Saints' Week 1 starting kicker, according to the New Orleans Times-Picayune.

Both Barth and Forbath had only limited opportunities in preseason exhibitions. Forbath, the Saints' kicker for 10 games in 2015, was 3-for-4 on field goals, missing a 50-yarder in the preseason opener in New England. Barth was 2-for-2, but he didn't have a chance to make a 50-yarder as his longest attempt was from 40. Each kicker made his only extra point, and both were solid on kickoffs. Perhaps the team feels more comfortable with the incumbent Forbath, but it would also be hard to cut a guy like Barth considering he didn't miss. The Saints will have difficult decision to make when rosters are due this Saturday, and all fantasy owners can really do is take a wait-and-see approach.

Hopkins made 3-of-4 field goals in the preseason.

Hopkins was 2-of-2 in Wednesday's Week 4 win over the Buccaneers and looked very consistent throughout all the exhibition games. He'll look to keep up the level of play as he heads into his second season in Washington.

Fairbairn (quad) has been placed on injured reserve, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Fairbairn was attempting to usurp the placekicking job from Nick Novak, but didn't play in preseason Week 2 or 3 due to the injury. They like his potential and want to evaluate him as a future kicking option.

Bryant (undisclosed) did not practice Monday due to muscle tightness, Vaughn McClure of ESPN reports.

Bryant was held out of Thursday's preseason game due to an undisclosed injury and has now missed the team's past two practices. It's unclear if the muscle tightness spurred the absence, and he's currently without a timetable for return.

Tavecchio has been waived by the Raiders.

With the move, veteran Sebastian Janikowski is now the only kicker on the Raiders' roster as Week 1 approaches.