GREEN BAY, Wis. — Maybe the seventh kicker would be the appeal for the Inexperienced Bay Packers, who signed veteran Brandon McManus on Tuesday.
The perimeters agreed to a one-year deal, a supply informed ESPN’s Adam Schefter, and McManus is predicted to kick in Sunday’s recreation towards the Houston Texans at Lambeau Area.
Whereas the Packers used just one kicker, Brayden Narveson, within the first six video games of this season, they’ve had six others on the roster because the finish of final season. Considered one of them, Alex Hale, stays on the apply squad.
Narveson, a rookie whom the Packers claimed off waivers from the Tennessee Titans in late August, has missed a league-high 5 discipline aim makes an attempt this season, together with a 44-yarder in Sunday’s win over the Arizona Cardinals.
Editor’s Picks
2 Associated
Initially, the Packers saved Greg Joseph on the finish of the preseason over final yr’s kicker, Anders Carlson. In addition they had James Turner and Jack Podlesny on their 90-man offseason roster at totally different factors.
When requested Monday whether or not the workforce was contemplating a kicking change this week, Packers coach Matt LaFleur mentioned: “I would not say that proper now, no.” Nevertheless, he mentioned they’d “take it by daily.” That was earlier than the workforce labored out McManus on Tuesday.
McManus, 33, spent final season with the Jacksonville Jaguars. He made 30 of 37 discipline aim makes an attempt and all 35 of his extra-point tries in his solely season with the workforce.
He signed a one-year, $3.6 million contract with the Washington Commanders within the offseason however was launched in early June after two ladies who have been working as flight attendants on the chartered airline the Jaguars used to fly to London in September 2023 filed a lawsuit accusing him of sexual assault on the journey.
The NFL introduced Sept. 30 that it discovered inadequate proof that McManus violated the league’s private conduct coverage. League spokesman Brian McCarthy mentioned as a part of an announcement that “as at all times, if new proof is offered it could be considered.”
Tony Buzbee, an legal professional representing the 2 ladies, informed ESPN on Sept. 30 that the league had not interviewed his shoppers as a part of its investigation. It wasn’t instantly recognized whether or not the perimeters had spoken since.
McManus is a profession 81.4% kicker on discipline targets. He spent the primary 9 seasons of his profession with the Denver Broncos.
The Packers have been looking for a secure alternative since they moved on from their profession scoring chief, Mason Crosby, after the 2022 season. In his final season with the Packers, Crosby made 86.2% of his discipline targets.
Final season, Carlson, a sixth-round decide in 2023, missed 13 whole kicks, together with discipline targets and further factors within the common season and playoffs, probably the most of any kicker within the league.
A supply mentioned the Packers have been assembly with Narveson on Tuesday night, and it was not instantly clear whether or not the workforce would attempt to preserve two kickers on the roster.
Data from ESPN’s Michael DiRocco was used on this report.
