Greg Zuerlein has been as productive as any player on his team this season, but the New York Jets may not have the veteran kicker's services against the Cleveland Browns on December 28.
After nailing a 54-yard field with 00:05 remaining in a 30-28 victory over Washington, Zuerlein popped up on the injury report this week. He was officially a non-participant at Tuesday's practice in Florham Park.
"He came out of the game with some right quad soreness. We'll see how he turns out today," said Jets' head coach Robert Saleh.
The news is somewhat troubling considering the short week of preparation leading into Prime Video's Thursday Night Football finale. Zuerlein, who turns 36 years old on gameday eve, has fewer than 96 hours to get heal.
Zuerlein has already missed one game this season with a groin injury sidelining him for the Week 2 road trip to Dallas. Austin Seibert, who temporarily joined the Jets on a Practice Squad deal, filled in for Zuerlein in a 30-10 loss. He made his lone field goal attempt from 34 yards.
Should he be needed again in Week 17, Seibert is available on the free agent market. The 27-year-old Seibert spent one week on the Saints' Practice Squad before being released on December 7.
"I’ll talk with [general manager] Joe [Douglas] about it. We’ll see how today goes," said Saleh.
While active, Zuerlein has been incredibly effective in his second year as a Jet. Zuerlein's 30 made field goals are tied for fourth most in the NFL and his 96.8 percent conversation rate ranks second behind only Dallas's Brandon Aubrey.
Zuerlein, who went 3-for-3 on three-pointers against the Commanders, has converted all 25 field goal attempts under 50 yards in distance this season.
"GZ, he never misses, so I wasn’t suspired at all," said running back Breece Hall following Zuerlein's heroics on Christmas Eve. "Literally as they snapped the ball, I was already walking onto the field ready to shake everybody’s hand, because I knew he was going to make it."
In 2022, the grizzled veteran set the Jets' franchise record for longest field goal by hitting from 60 yards in Minnesota.
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