The first thought when considering the Miami Dolphins‘ injuries would immediately involve the running back situation. That’s been enough of a headache on its own, but now they also have to find themselves a new kicker.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Dolphins placekicker Jason Sanders is going to miss some significant time with a hip injury.
“Dolphins kicker Jason Sanders is expected to be sidelined 4-5 weeks with a hip injury, per source,” Schefter posted on X. “Miami will need a new kicker for the start of the season.”
Sanders needs to really hope that a new kicker doesn’t come in and play lights out. It’s a brutal position and the Dolphins might not be too eager to go back to Sanders if they find a suitable replacement. Although, the new guy would have to be something else because Sanders was 90.2% last year and hit 12 of 14 from beyond 50 yards. That’s going to be tough to beat.
Who will replace Jason Sanders?
There are always plenty of free-agent kicking options on the market. Whether or not the Dolphins will be thrilled with their choices is another story. According to FF Today, here is a list of available kickers roaming the streets:
-Brandon McManus
-Greg “Legatron” Zuerlein
-Eddy Pineiro
-Greg Joseph
-Austin Seibert
-Matt Prater
-Zane Gonzalez
-Michael Badgely
There are some quality names on that list and Miami probably has a list of 20 more on speed dial. Every NFL team probably has that.
Jason Sanders’ job might be safe
The remaining options aren’t great, especially when compared to Sanders, who was fourth in the NFL in kicking last season. He made 37-41 field goals and was 11th in the league in field goal percentage.
Gonzalez perhaps stands out to me because he signed late last year with the Washington Commanders for six games and kicked in the NFC Championship Game. Although, that was his first time on a roster since 2021, so there’s that. Prater is also a name that’s been around for a long time and his age would indicate that; he’s 41-years old.
There is probably going to be that level of upside/downside on just about every kicker (heck, every player) on the free agent market at this point.
Hal Habib of the Palm Beach Post examined a few of the other kicking options on the market.
Michael Badgley
Age: 30
Six-year veteran with five teams. Career record of 98 of 119 with a long of 59. In 2023, his most recent NFL season, was just four for four for the Lions with a long of 41.
Greg Joseph
Age 31
Was just cut by 49ers, which surprised some. According to one report was 22 of 24 in practices for Niners. Went 16 of 20 last season with long of 52 while appearing with three teams.
Eddy Pineiro
Age: 29
Born in Miami and attended Sunset High before heading to Gainesville. In five seasons has a career percentage of 88.1. Last year with Panthers was 22 of 26 with a long of 53.
Greg Zuerlein
Age: 37
A 13-year veteran with the Rams, Cowboys and Jets. Made Pro Bowl in 2017. Played eight games for Jets in 2024, going nine of 15 on field goals with a long of only 40.
No injury is good, but the Dolphins really didn’t need to be scouring the waiver wire for kickers a little more than a week away from the start of the season.