FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Rather than cutting kicker Greg Zuerlein, whose slump has played a key role in their disappointing season, the New York Jets simply placed him on injured reserve Wednesday with an injury that wasn't disclosed until the previous day.
The Jets' kicker for Thursday night's game against the Houston Texans will be either Riley Patterson or Spencer Shrader, both of whom were signed to the practice squad Wednesday. They were among six kickers who auditioned for the job Tuesday at MetLife Stadium.
Interim coach Jeff Ulbrich was non-committal on Zuerlein, 36, after Sunday's 25-22 loss to the New England Patriots, a game in which he missed a 44-yard field goal and an extra point.