Patriots kicker Nick Folk out this weekend; Kai Forbath in as replacement
The New England Patriots have signed Kai Forbath to replace kicker Nick Folk this week against the Houston Texans due to Folk undergoing an appendectomy.
The New England Patriots‘ unlucky year at placekicker continues.
Nick Folk, who has gone 7/9 on field goals and 3/3 on extra point attempts in three appearances with the Pats, underwent an appendectomy this week, according to an ESPN report. The procedure was reportedly minimally-invasive, meaning Folk has a very good chance of returning to the starting lineup in Week 14 against the Kansas City Chiefs.
But for the time being, it appears that Folk will miss Sunday night’s primetime matchup against the Houston Texans because of the surgery.
The Patriots reportedly considered thrusting rookie punter Jake Bailey into emergency place-kicking duties this weekend, but instead elected to sign free agent kicker Kai Forbath to attempt field goals and extra points this weekend against the Texans.
Bailey has been handling kickoffs and holding duties all year with Stephen Gostkowski on IR because of season-ending hip surgery. New England originally worked out a number of kickers after Gostkowski’s surgery before eventually settling on Mike Nugent. Nugent was with the club for just 26 days, however, and was released after going 5/8 on field goals and 15/16 on extra point attempts.
Folk was signed the very next day after Nugent’s release. He was perfect on all his kicks in his first two games with the Patriots – the loss against the Ravens and the win over the Eagles – but he missed two field goals in New England’s win over the Cowboys (46 and 48 yards) in the wet, windy, cold conditions. Folk did make two of his other field goal attempts versus Dallas (42 and 44 yards).
Forbath hasn’t played in the NFL since last season, when he kicked in three games for the Jaguars. He went 4/5 on field goals and 3/3 on extra point attempts during those games with Jacksonville in 2018.
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The hope around the Patriots organization is that Folk will make a swift and complete recovery. He looked much steadier and more reliable in limited appearances with New England this season than Nugent ever did, and probably represents the best option for the Patriots at kicker for the remainder of this season (and the postseason) until Gostkowski is able to return at full health.