The Minnesota Vikings have released struggling kicker Blair Walsh.
The announcement was made just before 11 a.m., and follows the weekend loss against the Redskins in which the kicker missed another extra point.
We have released K Blair Walsh. pic.twitter.com/bNR5t44ZWJ
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) November 15, 2016
Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer was noncommittal when asked about Walsh’s future on Monday, saying: “We’re going to see what the options are at kicker, and then make a determination and go.”
Walsh has made just 75 percent of field goals (12 out of 16) for the Vikings this season, and has missed four extra points (15 out of 19), ESPN stats show.
One of those extra point misses came against the Detroit Lions the weekend before last, which ultimately cost the Vikings the game as the Lions tied the game late and won in overtime.
He has been under greater pressure than usual since the end of last season, when he missed a last-minute 27-yard field goal against Seattle in the playoffs, which cost the Vikings the win.
It’s a fall from grace for the 26-year-old from Florida, who was drafted in the 6th round of the 2012 draft from the University of Georgia and made a spectacular start to his Vikings career with a 92 percent field goal percentage in his first season – which included 10 out of 10 from 50 yards+.
After a solid second season, his performance dropped in 2014, when he made just 74 percent of field goals, but he bounced back last year by kicking 34 out of 39 field goals during the regular season.
Attention is now turning to who will replace him, with USA Today NFL writer Tom Pelissero reporting that Kai Forbath, who played last year for the Redskins and Saints, is the wanted man.
The #Vikings are expected to sign Kai Forbath, source said.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) November 15, 2016
Forbath kicked for #Redskins and #Saints last year, making 10 of 15 FG attempts, 34 of 35 XPs. Cut by NO when they signed Wil Lutz this year
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) November 15, 2016
