Patriots Kicker Nick Folk Will Reportedly Miss Week 13 After Undergoing an Appendectomy

The New England Patriots haven't had much to complain about in 2019, but their kicking predicament is one thing that fans in Foxborough are justified to nitpick.

Well, those misfortunes have reared their ugly head once again, as Nick Folk is expected to be out of commission for the Pats' showdown against the Houston Texans on Sunday night after recently undergoing an appendectomy, per NFL insider Ian Rapoport

#Patriots K Nick Folk recently had an appendectomy that will knock him out this week, but likely not more, source confirms (@Trags on it first). It was done laparoscopically, minimally invasive, which should mean a short recovery time. Still, NE needs a new kicker.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 28, 2019

Fortunately for New England, Folk is only expected to miss one week of action.

After star kicker Stephen Gostowski was placed on injured reserve earlier in the year, Bill Belichick originally struggled to find a viable replacement. However, that narrative changed when the Pats signed Folk about a month ago.

Since joining New England, Folk has converted 7 of 9 field goal attempts, and all three of his extra points.

Injuries: Patriots kicker Nick Folk undergoes appendectomy, won't play Sunday vs. Texanshttps://t.co/ncrCFhTmDr pic.twitter.com/Wuy392iny0
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) November 28, 2019

The current market for kickers is slim pickings. We'll see who ends up taking the kicks for the Pats later this week.