Jets place kicker Zuerlein on IR and sign Patterson and Shrader to the practice squad

AP Pro Football Writer

The New York Jets placed struggling kicker Greg Zuerlein on injured reserve and signed potential replacements Riley Patterson and Spencer Shrader to the practice squad.

Zuerlein, who has missed six of his 15 field-goal attempts this season, appeared on the team’s injury report Tuesday with an issue with his left, non-kicking leg.

The additions of Patterson and Shrader on Wednesday came after the Jets held a two-day competition with at least a half-dozen kickers. Either Patterson or Shrader is expected to be elevated to the active roster to play in the Jets’ game Thursday night against the Houston Texans.

The 36-year-old Zuerlein had been a reliable and consistent performer the last two seasons for the Jets, who had cycled through numerous kickers in previous years. But Zuerlein has struggled mightily this year.

He missed a 44-yard field goal and an extra point in New York’s three-point loss to New England last Sunday. Zuerlein, who re-signed with the Jets on a two-year deal in March, has missed four of his last seven field-goal attempts in the last three games.

Patterson has made 59 of 67 field-goal attempts in 39 NFL games in stints with Detroit, Jacksonville and Cleveland. He also has been successful on 93 of 97 extra-point attempts. Patterson was in training camp this summer with Washington.

Shrader is a rookie who was signed as an undrafted free agent by Indianapolis out of Notre Dame. He kicked three extra points for the Colts in the season opener against the Texans in his only NFL game.

The Jets also signed linebacker Marcelino McCrary-Ball from the practice squad, a sign that C.J. Mosley might not play against Houston. The veteran linebacker injured his neck during pregame warmups on Sunday and didn’t practice this week.

New York cut safety Jaylen Key, who was “Mr. Irrelevant” as the final pick of the draft in April, from the practice squad.

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