[ad_1]
The Washington Commanders’ roster overhaul continued Wednesday with a series of moves that potentially address questions on special teams.
Kicker Riley Patterson, released this week by the Jaguars, was claimed off waivers. Washington began searching for kicker help after releasing Brandon McManus in May following sexual assault allegations.
Free agent wide receiver Byron Pringle re-signed with the Commanders, offering head coach Dan Quinn position depth and another kick returner. Washington released receivers Dax Milne and Damiere Byrd.
The Commanders have monitored the kicker scenarios around the league knowing that several teams had multiple kickers in camp. Others will hit the waiver wire before Week 1. Now Washington has two heading toward its preseason opener at the New York Jets on August 10.
Patterson, who turns 25 in September, made 59 of 67 field goal attempts and 93 of 97 extra points for his career. He made 16 of 18 field goal attempts and 35 of 37 extra point tries in 2023 playing for the Lions and Browns before joining the Jaguars this off-season. The three-year veteran is 3-for-6 on field goal attempts of 50 or more yards.
Playing for Jacksonville in 2022, Patterson kicked a game-winning 36-yard field goal to cap a wild-card playoff round comeback victory over the Chargers.
He joins Ramiz Ahmed on the training camp roster. Washington signed Ahmed, who played briefly in the UFL this spring, following McManus’s exit. Lucas Havrisik worked out for the team earlier in the offseason but was not retained.
Pringle, 30, played 17 games for Washington last season under the previous coaching staff led by Ron Rivera. The 6-foot-1 receiver had 14 receptions for 161 yards and returned nine kicks for 27.9 yards per attempt. The Commanders have spent this offseason auditioning several players as kick and punt returners including Byrd and Milne.
The final pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, Milne was Washington’s primary returner in 2022. He led the league with 40 punt returns, but rarely provided impact plays, averaging 7.8 yards. He spent on the 2023 campaign on the injured reserve list and entered the final year of his rookie contract as a roster longshot.
Byrd, an eight-year veteran, signed with the Commanders in May.
WR Jamison Crowder replaced Milne last season and remains a candidate to handle punt return duties. Second-round cornerback Mike Sainristll, wide receiver Kazmier Allen and starting WR Jahan Dotson are among the returners in camp. Top running backs Austin Ekeler and Brian Robinson have participated in kick returner drills this summer.
The Commanders resume training camp practices on Thursday following Wednesday’s off day.
[ad_2]
Source link
Fitnessnacks – #NFL #training #camp #news #live #updates #Hall #Fame #Game #injuries #analysis #holdouts #position #battles
Courtesy : https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/live-blogs/nfl-training-camp-2024-news-live-updates/yN4P6QUgJTkn/