NFL Player News

Panthers kicker Graham Gano will likely sit out Friday's preseason game against the Bills because of a lower back injury, the Charlotte Observer reports. Jordan Gay will take over kicking duties for Carolina in Week 1 of preseason.

Panthers kicker Graham Gano has a back injury and might not play in Friday's preseason game against the Bills. However, coach Ron Rivera told reporters Thursday he will make that decision Friday morning.

Dolphins kicker Caleb Sturgis will miss "multiple practices" with a groin injury, reports the Miami Herald.

The Titans will have a battle for the starting kicker job in training camp between Maikon Bonani and undrafted rookie Travis Coons. 

Bonani, according to the Tennessean, is the favorite to win the job.

The Lions could be leaning toward rookie kicker Nate Freese, on whom the team spent a seventh-round pick, over Giorgio Tavecchio, who has bounced around training camps the past two years, reports ESPN.

Tavecchio has the stronger leg. Freese is likely the more accurate kicker and, due to having a draft pick invested, would appear to be the favorite. 

The Lions drafted Nate Freese and signed Giorgio Tavecchio this offseason. Both players will compete for the kicking job through the summer, and the job is wide open even though the Lions invested a draft pick in Freese. 

"Both guys are thumping it pretty good," coach Jim Caldwell said per MLive.com. "Giorgio's doing a nice job and Nate's doing a nice job as well. So I think it will be a good, healthy competition."

The Giants cut quarterback Rusty Smith and waived linebacker Allen Bradford, cornerback Junior Mertile and punter Jordan Gay.

The Bills could decide to keep two kickers this season with Dan Carpenter and Dustin Hopkins, reports the Buffalo News.

Last year, the Bills drafted Hopkins in the sixth round, but he hurt his groin right before the season began, and Carpenter signed and had a great season. The Bills last month re-signed Carpenter to a four-year contract worth $9.95 million, and Hopkins still is on the roster.

The report says Carpenter could continue to handle field goal and extra point attempts, and Hopkins will be used for kickoffs. 

"Would you like to have one guy that can do both? No doubt about it," Bills general manager Doug Whaley said. "But this is a situation where if it makes our team better, we're going to do it. ... Is keeping Dustin Hopkins better for the team that keeping an extra receiver, an extra DB? You juggle that."

Buccaneers kicker Connor Barth has been cleared to resume football activities after tearing his Achilles just before the start of training camp. Barth posted the news on his Facebook page according to PewterReport.com. 

The Jets signed their franchise player, kicker Nick Folk, to a multiyear deal, reports ESPN. He made 33 of 36 field goals last season.