Bills sign kicker to practice squad as 'concern' with Tyler Bass grows
The Buffalo Bills have signed free agent kicker Lucas Havrisik to the practice squad the team announced on Thursday.
The Bills released wide receiver Ahmarean Brown from the practice squad to make room for Havrisik.
Havrisik has appeared in just nine games in the NFL. They all came in 2023 for the Los Angeles Rams. Last year he made 15-of-20 field goals (75%) and converted 19-of-22 extra points (86.4%). He also spent some time on the practice squad for the Indianapolis Colts and Cleveland Browns.
Havrisik's kicking percentages would rank towards the bottom of the barrel when it comes to NFL kicking. But, current Bills kicker Tyler Bass ranks that poorly right now.
Bass has had an inconsistent year through six weeks of the season. And his struggles date back to last year.
During a press conference on Tuesday, Bills head coach Sean McDermott expressed his concern with Bass.
McDermott said bluntly, "I can understand everyone's concern [with Bass]. I'm concerned the same."
The concern about Bass' performance is what led to the Bills bringing in two free-agent kickers for workouts in September. And the concern remains a month later.
McDermott did, however, express his confidence that Bass would turn it around.
"He's had some really good kicks in some really good moments, and some that weren't his best," McDermott said. "That's part of the journey as well. I'm confident that he'll continue to work through that and his best football is ahead of him."
On Monday night against the New York Jets, Bass missed a field goal from 47 yards and he also missed an extra point that wasn't particularly close to the uprights. It was a very windy night in East Rutherford in Bass' defense.
Bass is 9-of-12 on field goals for the year. His 75% field goal percentage ranks 28th in the NFL. His 90% conversion rate on extra points ranks 32nd in the NFL.
The added competition in the special teams room with Havrisik can't hurt.
The Bills need to turn their kicking around for the rest of the year. Bass will get a chance to get back on track against the Tennessee Titans at home in Week 7.
This article originally appeared on Bills Wire: Bills sign kicker to practice squad as 'concern' with Tyler Bass grows
