NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The Tennessee Titans may have seen enough to pick their kicker with one preseason game remaining.
The Titans waived as injured kicker Tucker McCann on Monday, leaving Sam Ficken as the lone kicker on the roster after a strong week in practices and in Tennessee’s 34-3 win over Tampa Bay. Ficken made field goals from 48 and 58 yards and had five touchbacks on kickoffs against the Bucs.
Coach Mike Vrabel said Sunday that Ficken hadn’t done anything to hurt himself.
“I think his leg has gotten even stronger since he’s got here,” Vrabel said. “And I asked (assistant coach) James (Wilhoit), ‘Is it stronger or is he just hitting it with more confidence?’ And James thinks that he’s just swinging with more confidence because it clearly looks like a stronger leg to me.”
The Titans always could bring in another kicker to challenge Ficken. But the roster must be trimmed to 80 by Tuesday afternoon with the final roster due to be cut to 53 on Aug. 31.
The Titans claimed Ficken off waivers from the New York Jets on Aug. 1 and waived undrafted free agent Blake Haubeil. McCann had been kicking well until he was hurt at the end of a field goal in the preseason-opening win at Atlanta. A rusher rolled McCann’s right, kicking ankle. McCann hadn’t practiced since then.
McCann, signed by the Titans as an undrafted free agent out of Missouri after the draft in 2020, has yet to kick in an NFL game.
Ficken 28, has made 35 of 48 attempts overall (73 %) and 12 of 22 (55%) from 40 yards or more in four seasons. He was 13 of 15 for the Jets last season, with both misses coming from 50 yards or more. Ficken has struggled on extra points, making 49 of 56 for his career and 12 of 15 for the Jets last season.
Vrabel announced Sunday that he tested positive for COVID-19 and was in quarantine pending the results of a third test expected Monday. The Titans placed defensive lineman Anthony Rush on the reserve/COVID-19 list before Monday’s practice.
The Titans also waived/injured offensive linemen Paul Adams and Ross Reynolds.
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