Patriots Reportedly Searching New Kicker With Nick Folk Out For Week 13

The New England Patriots have played just three kickers. In 2019, they will have gone through four by Sunday night. Kicker Nick Folk had an appendectomy early Thanksgiving morning, and he won’t suit up for Sunday’s game against the Houston Texans. The information was confirmed by CLNS Media’s Mike Petraglia and NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport.

Stephen Gostkowski, Mike Nugent and Folk kicked for New England this season. from 1996 to 2018, only Adam Vinatiery, Gostkowski and Shayne Graham had regularly kicked for the Patriots.

Gostkowski ended up on injured reserve after Week 4. Nugent was added to the roster to replace Gostkowski but was released for ineffectiveness after four games. Folk is 7-of-9 on field goals and 3-of-3 on extra points in three games. Both of Folk’s misses came in Week 12 against the Dallas Cowboys.

New England also had Younghoe Koo on the practice squad in October. He was cut after less than two weeks. At the moment, Koo plays with the Atlanta Falcons.

Which kicker will replace Folk?

Folk is expected to return in Week 14 against the Kansas City Chiefs. The Patriots may play without a Kicker Sunday night, and play punter/kickoff specialist Jake Bailey or another player. They may also sign a kicker Thursday or Friday and expect the best on short notice.

Fans can’t wait to see what head coach Bill Belichick and director of player personnel Nick Caserio do on short notice. Belichick is thankful for his team and the players he coaches, but we believe that he isn’t really grateful for the kicking situation.

Houston is a tough opponent, but Belichick has a solution for every team. The Patriots play every game as if it was a Super Bowl game. The only problem New England has is the flu bug that goes around the facility. Some players have already missed practices due to the illness, and hopefully, they will get better by Sunday. Flu season is here, and players will have to be careful not to catch it.

Sunday is an important day for the Patriots nation, and fans expect another win. New England is 10-1 at this point of the season.