The Steelers are making a significant change ahead of their
biggest game of the season. ESPN’s Field Yates reports (via Twitter)
that Pittsburgh is placing kicker Chris Boswell on
injured reserve. The Steelers have signed kicker Matt McCrane to
take his place, Yates reports.
After making the Pro Bowl last season, Boswell has struggled
mightily in 2018. Through 15 games, he has converted only 13 of his 20
field-goal attempts, with his 65-percent mark ranking last among eligible NFL
kickers. The 27-year-old Boswell even struggled on extra points; after having
made at least 94 percent of his attempts through the first three seasons of his
career that number dropped to 89.6-percent (43-for-48) in 2018.
Boswell seemed to have a rebound game during last weekend’s
loss to the Saints, as he made his two field-goal attempts and two extra-point
tries. Many attributed the kicker’s struggles to the yips, and his placement on
the IR doesn’t necessarily mean he’s been dealing with a nagging injury
throughout the campaign. It’s more likely the coaching staff still didn’t feel good
about Boswell’s prospects heading into Week 17 and the postseason (if the
Steelers reach the postseason), and his placement on IR allowed the
organization to keep him on the roster.
McCrane, an undrafted rookie out of Kansas State, has
bounced around the NFL this season, spending time with the Cardinals and
Raiders. He appeared in four games with the two organizations, connecting on
five of his nine field goal attempts and all five of his extra point tries.
No comments:
Post a Comment