The Washington Football Team has signed its fourth kicker of the season following the injury to Joey Slye. Slye is expected to miss at least three weeks with a pulled hamstring, head coach Ron Rivera announced Tuesday morning.
Washington has signed Brian Johnson off the Chicago Bears practice squad, according to Nicki Jhabvala of the Washington Post. Johnson, like Slye, kicked in college at Virginia Tech.
Joey Slye was injured after his extra point was blocked by Seattle Seahawks defensive end Rasheem Green in the second quarter of Monday night’s game.
As Green rolled down the sidelines into the end zone for two points, Slye pulled up and stumbled to the ground in pain. After barely kicking the ensuing kickoff, Slye was taken out of the game and did not return.
Washington elected to leave the offense on the field in fourth down situations in field goal range the entire second half. They also went for two instead of an extra point on their lone second-half touchdown.
Slye was Washington’s third kicker of the season. The team released Dustin Hopkins six games into his season. Then released his replacement, Chris Blewitt, two games later.
Rivera said he notified the team scouts at halftime to begin the search for a fourth kicker.
Slye appeared to end Washington’s kicking woes. He had made all six of his field goal attempts in three games with Washington. He also had made his first five extra points before Monday’s block.
Johnson comes in with NFL experience. So no Washington fans, it’s not a Chris Blewitt situation. Johnson kicked four games for the New Orleans Saints this season. He made all eight of his field goal attempts. However, he was 5-of-8 on extra points.
