Jaguars reportedly bring in a pair of kickers for tryouts

Jacksonville Jaguars kicker Riley Patterson missed a 37-yard field in Week 1, but has made six consecutive field goals and seven extra points since.

Despite the strong start to the year for Patterson, the Jaguars are reportedly evaluating their options at kicker anyway. According to ESPN’s Field Yates, the Jaguars brought in former Indianapolis Colts kicker Rodrigo Blankenship and former New York Jets kicker Sam Ficken for tryouts Tuesday.

While Patterson’s play hasn’t necessitated a replacement, it’s possible the Jaguars are hunting for an upgrade to their practice squad where undrafted rookie kicker James McCourt currently holds a spot.

Jacksonville claimed McCourt off waivers from the Los Angeles Chargers in August and claimed Patterson from the Detroit Lions a week later.

Blankenship, 25, spent the last two seasons with the Colts, but missed most of the 2021 season due to a hip injury. He was released by the team after missing a 42-yard field goal in overtime of a Week 1 tie with the Houston Texans, although he made two field goals and two extra points prior to the miss.

Ficken, 29, spent training camp with the Jaguars in 2016 and eventually had a stint as the Los Angeles Rams’ kicker in 2017 and 2018. He later stuck with the Jets, making 32 of 42 field goal attempts over a two-year span with the team. Ficken spent last season on the Titans injured reserve after injuring his groin ahead of the Week 1 opener.