Packers Could Easily Cut Mason Crosby if Sam Ficken Gives Them Reason to Believe
By Charles Nason
The year is 2019. There is less than a month until the start of the NFL preseason, and for the first time in 12 years, Mason Crosby is not currently the starting kicker for the Green Bay Packers.
As absurd as that sounds, it's not true just yet. However, it could happen extremely soon.
Packers put Mason Crosby, Josh Jackson on NFI list https://t.co/OH4ULLapnb
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) July 25, 2019
Earlier on Thursday, the Packers placed Crosby on the NFI list. The former Colorado Buffalo is dealing with a calf injury that has kept him from kicking any footballs.
With Crosby sidelined at the moment, former Los Angeles Rams kicker Sam Ficken has the chance to step into the starting position for Green Bay. He's only attempted six kicks in his two years with LA, so he has plenty of proving to do before he replaces Crosby.
Sam Ficken handled all the field goals with Mason Crosby not practicing and it was a rough start. Missed from 39 and 43 yards wide right and finished 4 for 6. It was into the wind but against no defense. https://t.co/np49ElPZQB
— Rob Demovsky (@RobDemovsky) July 25, 2019
Since 2007, the Packers have never really had to worry about the kicking position, as Crosby has been their go-to guy the entire time. However, we all knew the aging kicker's time had to come eventually. With exactly two weeks until their first preseason game with the Texans, the Packers better hope that one of their two options is healthy and kicking well.
Until then, Crosby will do his best to get back to full health, and Sam Ficken will just continue to try and simply hit field goals, which he is clearly struggling with right now.
In that same time, the Packers may need to decide if they'll cut their reliable veteran and go forward with Ficken, or if they'll stick to their guns and give Crosby one more shot. For once in Green Bay, the clock is tickin' on Ficken.