Tennessee Titans are forced to make a change on kicker position just days before their first games of the 2019 NFL season. After placing starter Ryan Succop on injured reserve on Wednesday, Titans signed veteran Cairo Santos in a corresponding move.
Succop underwent knee surgery during the offseason but was taken out of physically unable to perform list in mid-August. It seemed like the 32-year-old was ready to go after making two preseason appearances, but things took a bad turn in recent days. Succop felt like he isn’t 100 percent, so the Titans didn’t want to risk anything and brought Santos as an emergency solution.
Santos spent the better part of 2018 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, playing seven games with the organization. He converted nine out of 12 field goals while being 100 percent accurate on extra points (17 out of 17). Despite this, Buccs decided to move on from him, releasing him last weekend.
While Santos knows that his stint with Titans could also be short-lasting, he doesn’t intend to let that distract him from his job.
“I am only here to make every single kick and will worry about one game at a time to help the team win,” – said Santos. “If it is for eight games, until (Ryan) comes back, or throughout the season, I’ll just worry about one game at a time. My goal is to make all my kicks for as long as I am here.”
Titans’ will open the season in Cleveland, where they will face the Browns on Sunday.
