nbcsports
Following their Week 6 bye, the Miami Dolphins are making a change at kicker. According to Jordan Schultz of The Schultz Report, the team is re-signing Zane Gonzalez to fill the position. ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that Miami is releasing Riley Patterson in a corresponding move.
Gonzalez, 31, previously spent time with the Dolphins during the offseason program and training camp. He was placed on injured reserve in August and subsequently released with an injury settlement on August 19. In nine games with the Atlanta Falcons last season, Gonzalez converted 19-of-22 field goals and 17-of-18 extra points.
Patterson, who missed an extra point in the Week 5 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, had also missed two field goals earlier in the season. The Dolphins will be on the road to face the New York Jets in Week 7.
Key Analysis
The Dolphins' decision to swap kickers comes after Patterson's recent accuracy issues, including a missed extra point and two missed field goals. Gonzalez's previous stint with Miami and his solid performance with Atlanta last season likely influenced the team's choice to bring him back. This move aims to stabilize the kicking game as Miami prepares for a divisional matchup against the Jets.
Originally reported by nbcsports.