Throughout the offseason, the New England Patriots held a kicker competition between 2023 fourth-round pick Chad Ryland and veteran free agent signing Joey Slye.
Slye eventually won the job, leading New England to cut Ryland from the roster. The former Maryland kicker remained unsigned this past Wednesday when he joined the Arizona Cardinals practice squad.
With Cardinals starting kicker Matt Prater questionable for their Week 5 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers, Ryland was elevated from the practice squad to the active roster. And, if Prater can't go, Ryland will serve as their placekicker.
Ryland was statistically the worst kicker in football last year, making just 64% of his field goals (16-for-25).
Meanwhile, Slye has made eight of his nine attempts for New England this year, including a franchise-record 63-yard attempt against the 49ers in Week 4.
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