Report: Patriots Have Signed Another Kicker

The New England Patriots have a few players on the injury report, meaning they had to find other options. Players are in and out of the field, and this time the Patriots signed a kicker. This is a big move for the team and this player will be joining the practice unit.

Veteran kicker Nick Folk saw limited action in practice, and the team signed kicker Riley Patterson to the practice unit. Mike Reiss from ESPN was among the first to confirm the information.

The Patriots have officially signed kicker Riley Patterson to the practice squad. With veteran Nick Folk limited (left knee) and Quinn Nordin still on IR, the need for a kicker at practice sparks the move.

— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) October 19, 2021

“The Patriots have officially signed kicker Riley Patterson to the practice squad,” he reported. “With veteran Nick Folk limited (left knee) and Quinn Nordin still on IR, the need for a kicker at practice sparks the move.”

Patriots got a talented kicker

Patterson is 22 and he went undrafted out of Memphis. He was part of the Reese’s Senior Bowl in Mobile and became the top specialist for the National squad before joining the Minnesota Vikings. The team waived him from IR with a settlement a few months ago.

Reiss also discussed Folk’s situation with the team. The veteran kicker had huge impact on the field, but his knee injury was just too much.

“Nick Folk’s left knee injury — which has limited him in practice the past couple of weeks but hasn’t seemed to have a negative effect on him in games — is more than just a passing note. It was a factor in the club bringing kicker Riley Patterson back for a second workout Friday, and the expectation is that he will soon be added to the practice squad. Kickers aren’t often associated with toughness, but those close to Folk see how he’s gutting it out and the respect for him grows that much more.”

The Patriots trusted Folk enough to bring him in for another season. It was a good decision and the veteran made huge impact during his time with the team. This injury made us ask questions about his performance, but we believe there is nothing wrong with the talented kicker. He will need time to rest and recover. Probably.