For the first time since 2010, the Patriots will have a kicker not named Stephen Gostkowski take the field. He was placed on injured reserve and New England tried out 7 different kickers, eventually choosing veteran Mike Nugent.
Nugent, 37, was the most experienced kicker the Patriots tried out and has gone 253-of-311 on field-goal attempts in his career. Nugent has played for 7 different teams and has appeared in 5 playoff games.
Gostkowski missed 4 extra-point attempts and 1 field goal in the Patriots first 4 games before being placed on the IL. The 35-year-old, who has been the Patriot’s kicker since 2006, will have a season ending surgery, but is expected to be ready for the 2020 season. Gostkowski is the Patriots all-time leader in points and field goals.
Younghoe Koo was added to the Patriots practice squad as a backup. Koo has only played one season (his rookie year with the Chargers in 2017) and went 3-for-6 on field goals, and converted all 9 of his extra-point attempts.
