NFL Player News

Why did punter Spencer Lanning attempt (and miss) a field goal for the Browns late in the first quarter at Chicago? Because placekicker Shayne Graham hurt his back and his return is questionable, the Chicago Tribune is reporting.

The Browns still have placekicker Brandon Bogotay on the roster.

The Packers released kicker Zach Ramirez Tuesday, indicating Mason Crosby has won the starting placekicking job. Giorgio Tavecchio was released Monday, but the Packers have said Tavecchio could be brought back to Green bay.

The Jets announced Tuesday they released kicker Billy Cundiff and signed Dan Carpenter, who will now compete with Nick Folk for the starting placekicker job. Cundiff, who was signed July 23, was a perfect 3 for 3 on field goals and 4 for 4 on extra points during the preseason.

Falcons coach Mike Smith said Monday kicker Matt Bryant (back) is working with the trainers and expected to be ready for the season opener (Sept. 8) at New Orleans.

The Packers announced Monday they released kicker Giorgio Tavecchio, who was 1 for 2 on field goal attempts in two preseason games. The kicking competition is down to Mason Crosby and Zach Ramirez, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Falcons kicker Matt Bryant missed Saturday's preseason game against the Titans due to stiffness in his back, the team's official site reports. Bryant is going to be questionable for the rest of the preseason and is likely to be fine when the regular season begins. 

The Panthers have announced they have made the following nine cuts: Quarterback Colby Cameron, punter Jordan Gay, cornerback Nick Hixson, placekicker Morgan Lineberry, wide receiver Dale Moss, defensive end Louis Nzegwu, linebacker Ryan Rau, safety Ricardo Silva and guard Justin Wells.

The Bills have released kicker Rian Lindell, making rookie Dustin Hopkins the team's placekicker for the 2013 season. 

Lindell spent a decade with the Bills and holds the franchise record for career field goal percentage of 83.3 pct. Hopkins made 25 of 30 field goals as a senior with the Florida State Seminoles and left college with 88 of 112 field goals made including 9 of 15 from 50-plus yards. 

The Dolphins cut kicker Dan Carpenter, apparently handing the job to rookie Caleb Sturgis. Sturgis is a fifth-round pick out of Florida. 

Carpenter hit 22 of 27 fields goals in 14 games last year, his fifth season with Miami.

Dolphins kicker Dan Carpenter appears to be taking the lead in the competition for the starting job with rookie Caleb Sturgis, reports the Miami Herald.

With Sturgis' injured groin still mending, Carpenter has pounced in the kicking competition.

"I'm not changing anything I'm doing," Carpenter said. "I'm working just as hard as I was the last two years when no one was here. Nothing's changed. I'm just going to work and trying to make every kick."