Tag: Zane Gonzalez

Falcons send another kicker packing, will tote Zane Gonzalez to Germany

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Perhaps the third will be the charm for the Atlanta Falcons, but they’re going overseas to find out.

The Falcons (3-5) reportedly agreed to a contract with Zane Gonzalez, who worked out for the team on Tuesday as Atlanta prepares to depart for its International Series game in Berlin against the Indianapolis Colts (7-2).

The Falcons have lost three consecutive games and collectively Atlanta kickers are 13 of 17 on field-goal attempts.

Distance is the most commonly referenced shortcoming for Gonzalez. From 40-49 yards, he is 33-of-46 and from 50-plus he has 11 field goals and eight missed attempts.

But his career long of 57 yards came on Halloween 2021 at Atlanta while kicking for the Carolina Panthers.

Misses have been a part of the story for Gonzalez, who was 38th in the NFL with a FG percentage of 71.4 in six games with the Washington Commanders last season. In 69 career games, Gonzalez hit 96 of 120 (80%) field goals. He has converted 146 of 153 PATs since being selected by the Cleveland Browns in the seventh round of the 2017 draft. He did not appear in an NFL game in 2022 or 2023.

Gonzalez made his only attempt and all three extra points in Washington’s Dec. 29 overtime win against the Falcons last season.

The signing came after the Falcons placed kicker Parker Romo on waivers.

With a chance to tie the score at 24 against the New England Patriots with 4:40 left in Sunday’s game, Romo missed the extra point and Atlanta lost the game by that margin.

“At the end of the day, you’ve got to make that kick and give yourself a chance,” Falcons coach Raheem Morris said Monday. “That’s the game. … We’ve got to get it fixed and it has to be fixed now.”

Kicking woes have plagued the Falcons since their season-opening loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, when Younghoe Koo missed a game-tying 44-yarder. Atlanta lost the game 23-20.

–Field Level Media

Jan 18, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Washington Commanders punter Zane Gonzalez (47) makes a field goal against the Washington Commanders during the second quarter at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-Imagn Images

Commanders re-sign K Zane Gonzalez

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Washington Commanders re-signed kicker Zane Gonzalez to a one-year, $1.17 million contract on Thursday.

Gonzalez, 29, made 5 of 7 field-goal attempts and all 19 extra-point tries while appearing in six regular-season games last season.

He drilled 7 of 8 field-goal attempts in the playoffs, including a 37-yard kick banked through off the upright as time expired to lead Washington to a 23-20 win over the host Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC wild-card game on Jan. 12.

Gonzalez has made 80 percent of his field-goal attempts in 69 career games for the Cleveland Browns (2017-18), Arizona Cardinals (2018-20), Carolina Panthers (2021) and Commanders.

–Field Level Media

Nov 28, 2021; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Carolina Panthers kicker Zane Gonzalez (5) kicks a field goal against the Miami Dolphins during the second period at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

Panthers place K Zane Gonzalez on injured reserve

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Carolina Panthers kicker Zane Gonzalez will miss the remainder of the regular season after sustaining a pregame injury last Sunday at Buffalo.

Wide receiver Brandon Zylstra handled the kickoff responsibilities in place of Gonzalez, who injured his right quad prior to Carolina’s 31-14 loss to the Bills.

The Panthers signed Lirim Hajrullahu off the practice squad of the Washington Football Team. He is expected to handle the kicking duties for the final three weeks, although Carolina also signed kicker Alex Kessman to the practice squad.

Gonzalez, 26, has made 20 of 22 field-goal attempts this season, plus 22 of 23 extra-point tries.

Gonzalez is 91 of 113 on field-goal attempts and 127 of 134 on extra-point tries in 63 career games with the Cleveland Browns, Arizona Cardinals and Panthers.

Hajrullahu, 31, made all five of his extra-point attempts in his lone game this season with the Dallas Cowboys. He played for three Canadian Football League teams from 2014-19.

–Field Level Media

Nov 28, 2021; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Carolina Panthers kicker Zane Gonzalez (5) kicks a field goal against the Miami Dolphins during the second period at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

Panthers K Zane Gonzalez injured in pre-game warmups

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Carolina Panthers kicker Zane Gonzalez was helped off the field after sustaining a right-quad injury during pre-game warmups for Sunday’s game against the host Buffalo Bills.

Gonzalez officially was ruled out for the contest minutes later by the Panthers (5-8), who do not have another kicker on their 53-man roster. Punter Lachlan Edwards likely will handle kickoffs for Carolina.

Gonzalez, 26, has made 20 of 22 field-goal attempts this season, plus 22 of 23 extra-point tries.

Gonzalez is 91 of 113 on field-goal attempts and 127 of 134 on extra-point tries in 63 career games with the Cleveland Browns, Arizona Cardinals and Panthers.

–Field Level Media

Dec 6, 2020; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals kicker Zane Gonzalez (5) reacts against the Los Angeles Rams at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Lions sign K Zane Gonzalez

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Detroit Lions signed free agent kicker Zane Gonzalez on Tuesday, setting up a competition with Randy Bullock for the kicking duties this season.

It’s a one-year deal for the former Arizona Cardinals kicker.

The Lions also waived kicker Matthew Wright.

The Lions are in search of a replacement for Matt Prater, who left in free agency to replace Gonzalez in Arizona.

Gonzalez, 26, played in 33 games in parts of three seasons for the Cardinals. He made just 72.7 percent of his field goal attempts in 2020 (12 games) before ending the season on injured reserve with a back injury. He converted 38 of 39 extra point attempts.

He began his career in Cleveland (2017-18).

Bullock also signed a one-year deal with the Lions in the offseason after spending the last four-plus seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals. But he has struggled in camp with the Lions.

Bullock converted on 80.8 percent of his FG tries last season in 12 games, including a long of 55 yards. He made 24 of 25 PAT attempts. He began his career in Houston after the Texans drafted him in the fifth round in 2012. He kicked in 35 games for the Texans and also had brief stints with the New York Giants, New York Jets and Pittsburgh Steelers.

–Field Level Media

Oct 25, 2020; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals defensive end Jordan Phillips (97) prior to the game against the Seattle Seahawks at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Billy Hardiman-USA TODAY Sports

Cardinals place K Gonzalez, DE Phillips on IR

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Arizona Cardinals placed kicker Zane Gonzalez and defensive tackle Jordan Phillips on injured reserve Saturday, ending the season for both players.

Gonzalez had been dealing with a back injury that already had him out for Sunday’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles after missing last week’s 26-7 victory over the New York Giants. Mike Nugent is expected to handle the Cardinals’ kicking duties over the final three games.

Phillips was placed on IR for the second time this season because of a hamstring injury. He had 11 tackles over nine games. Linebacker Terrance Smith was activated after he was signed to the practice squad in November.

Also added to the active roster was tight end Darrell Daniels, who has six catches for 83 yards and a touchdown this season. He was on IR the past four weeks with an ankle issue.

Running back D.J. Foster also will be active on Sunday after he was signed to the active roster. He had been elevated from the practice squad seven times this season but saw action on just five snaps.

–Field Level Media

Nov 15, 2020; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals kicker Zane Gonzalez (5) celebrates with cornerback Jace Whittaker (39) against the Buffalo Bills at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Cardinals promote Nugent, rule out Gonzalez vs. Giants

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Arizona Cardinals promoted Mike Nugent to the active roster and ruled out fellow kicker Zane Gonzalez for Sunday’s road game against the New York Giants.

Gonzalez was nursing a back injury and had been listed as questionable to play for the Cardinals (6-6).

Nugent, 38, had a brief stint with the New England Patriots last season. In four games, Nugent converted 5 of 8 field goal attempts and 15 of 16 extra-point tries.

Nugent has made 258 of 319 field-goal attempts and 378 of 393 extra-point tries in 168 career games with the New York Jets (2005-08), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2009), Cardinals (2009), Cincinnati Bengals (2010-16), Chicago Bears (2017), Dallas Cowboys (2017), then-Oakland Raiders (2018) and Patriots (2019).

Gonzalez, 25, has converted 16 of 22 field-goal attempts and 38 of 39 extra-point tries in 12 games this season.

He has made 71 of 91 field-goal attempts and 105 of 111 extra-point tries in four seasons with the Cleveland Browns (2017-18) and Cardinals (2018-20).

–Field Level Media