After drafting nine players in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Jacksonville Jaguars made a series of moves to free up roster spots for incoming rookies by parting way with a couple of veterans.

The Jags announced on Tuesday that they are parting ways with veteran wide receiver Zay Jones and kicker Joey Slye. Jones will the franchise after two years in Jacksonville, while Slye is out the door before playing a single snap for the team.

Jones joined the Jags ahead of the 2022 season on a three-year, $24 million contract. After a solid first season, in which he had 85 catches for 823 yards and five touchdowns, Jones struggled in 2023 and had only 274 receiving yards and two TDs to show for.

Slye, on the other hand, spent the last season with the Washington Commanders, converting 19 out of 24 field goal attempts and 91.4% of extra point attempts. He signed a one-year, $1.29 million contract with the Jags in March.

The Jaguars were comfortable with letting Jones and Slye leave as they already drafted their replacements. They selected LSU standout wideout Brian Thomas Jr. with the 23rd overall pick in the 2024 draft while also taking Arkansas kicker Cam Little with the sixth-round selection.

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The Houston Texans didn’t think twice about moving on from kicker Joey Slye after finding out that starter Ka’imi Fairbairn is fit to return in Week 4. The Texans officially waived Slye on Thursday.

Slye started the season on the Texans’ practice squad but surprisingly got a chance to start when Fairbairn landed on the injured reserve list in early September with a pulled groin muscle. The 25-year-old player performed well when called upon, making four of five field goals attempted and connecting on seven of eight extra-point attempts.

Still, the Texans didn’t want to drag out Fiarbairn’s return, especially since they believe the 27-year-old player is completely healthy now.

“I don’t think you’re going to put a player out there that can’t perform to the best of his abilities on any phases or role being asked,” special teams coordinator Frank Ross said of Fairbairn on Thursday.

It shouldn’t take long before Joey Slye finds a new landing spot in the NFL. If unclaimed, he should get an opportunity to be part of another practice squad as several teams experienced issues on kicker position in recent weeks. It also wouldn’t be surprising if the 25-year-old player returns to the Texans’ practice squad again.

Before joining the Texans, Slye served as the Carolina Panthers’ starting kicker for two seasons. He has 79.5 percent FG conversion in his career while also being 89.9 on extra points.

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Carolina Panthers’ head coach Ron Rivera is putting pressure on his struggling kicker Joey Slye. Rivera told reporters on Monday that the team might work out other kickers after Slye’s misses cost them the win against New Orleans Saints in Week 12.

Slye missed two extra points against Saints but earned a chance to redeem himself with 1:56 left in the game. The result was 31-31 and Carolina managed to secure a favorable 28-yard field goal attempt which would give them the lead.

Slye cracked under pressure and ended up missing the field goal turning the ball over to New Orleans. Saints quickly marched down the field and set up an FG for their kicker Wil Lutz, who converted and gave his team a win.

After the game, Rivera was asked whether the Panthers will bring another kicker. 

”Those are things that we are certainly going to discuss,” said Rivera. ”It’s about doing your job and Joey is well aware of that. It’s something that we’re going to talk about.”

After going undrafted in 2018, Joey Slye earned the spot of Carolina Panthers’ starting kicker following a season-ending injury of starter Graham Gano. Slye had a big start of 2019, converting 10 out of 11 field goals, with five of them being 50+ yards. Since then, however, he only hit nine of 15 FGs while missing an alarming four PATs.

The post Panthers Consider Working out Kickers following Joey Slye’s Struggles appeared first on SportzBonanza.

After drafting nine players in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Jacksonville Jaguars made a series of moves to free up roster spots for incoming rookies by parting way with a couple of veterans.

The Jags announced on Tuesday that they are parting ways with veteran wide receiver Zay Jones and kicker Joey Slye. Jones will the franchise after two years in Jacksonville, while Slye is out the door before playing a single snap for the team.

Jones joined the Jags ahead of the 2022 season on a three-year, $24 million contract. After a solid first season, in which he had 85 catches for 823 yards and five touchdowns, Jones struggled in 2023 and had only 274 receiving yards and two TDs to show for.

Slye, on the other hand, spent the last season with the Washington Commanders, converting 19 out of 24 field goal attempts and 91.4% of extra point attempts. He signed a one-year, $1.29 million contract with the Jags in March.

The Jaguars were comfortable with letting Jones and Slye leave as they already drafted their replacements. They selected LSU standout wideout Brian Thomas Jr. with the 23rd overall pick in the 2024 draft while also taking Arkansas kicker Cam Little with the sixth-round selection.

The post Jaguars Release WR Zay Jones and Kicker Joey Slye appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The Houston Texans didn’t think twice about moving on from kicker Joey Slye after finding out that starter Ka’imi Fairbairn is fit to return in Week 4. The Texans officially waived Slye on Thursday.

Slye started the season on the Texans’ practice squad but surprisingly got a chance to start when Fairbairn landed on the injured reserve list in early September with a pulled groin muscle. The 25-year-old player performed well when called upon, making four of five field goals attempted and connecting on seven of eight extra-point attempts.

Still, the Texans didn’t want to drag out Fiarbairn’s return, especially since they believe the 27-year-old player is completely healthy now.

“I don’t think you’re going to put a player out there that can’t perform to the best of his abilities on any phases or role being asked,” special teams coordinator Frank Ross said of Fairbairn on Thursday.

It shouldn’t take long before Joey Slye finds a new landing spot in the NFL. If unclaimed, he should get an opportunity to be part of another practice squad as several teams experienced issues on kicker position in recent weeks. It also wouldn’t be surprising if the 25-year-old player returns to the Texans’ practice squad again.

Before joining the Texans, Slye served as the Carolina Panthers’ starting kicker for two seasons. He has 79.5 percent FG conversion in his career while also being 89.9 on extra points.

The post Texans Waive Kicker Joey Slye appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Carolina Panthers’ head coach Ron Rivera is putting pressure on his struggling kicker Joey Slye. Rivera told reporters on Monday that the team might work out other kickers after Slye’s misses cost them the win against New Orleans Saints in Week 12.

Slye missed two extra points against Saints but earned a chance to redeem himself with 1:56 left in the game. The result was 31-31 and Carolina managed to secure a favorable 28-yard field goal attempt which would give them the lead.

Slye cracked under pressure and ended up missing the field goal turning the ball over to New Orleans. Saints quickly marched down the field and set up an FG for their kicker Wil Lutz, who converted and gave his team a win.

After the game, Rivera was asked whether the Panthers will bring another kicker. 

”Those are things that we are certainly going to discuss,” said Rivera. ”It’s about doing your job and Joey is well aware of that. It’s something that we’re going to talk about.”

After going undrafted in 2018, Joey Slye earned the spot of Carolina Panthers’ starting kicker following a season-ending injury of starter Graham Gano. Slye had a big start of 2019, converting 10 out of 11 field goals, with five of them being 50+ yards. Since then, however, he only hit nine of 15 FGs while missing an alarming four PATs.

The post Panthers Consider Working out Kickers following Joey Slye’s Struggles appeared first on SportzBonanza.