Vikings rookie kicker Will Reichard is headed to injured reserve with a quad strain and the team is signing John Parker Romo to replace him, according to NFL Media. That means Reichard will miss a minimum of four games, with Romo in line to make his NFL regular season debut on Sunday in Jacksonville.
Mike Garafolo also reports that the Vikings are signing long snapper Jake McQuaide to replace the injured Andrew DePaola.
Reichard's injury is an unfortunate setback amid what had been a stellar rookie season for the sixth-round pick out of Alabama. Prior to missing two field goals on Sunday night against the Colts — and the injury almost certainly factored into those misses — he hadn't missed a kick all year. Reichard made his first 34 attempts to begin his career, including 20 extra points and 14 field goals.
In steps Romo, who will get his first opportunity to be an NFL's team kicker at 27 years old. A former undrafted free agent out of Virginia Tech, he signed with the Saints in 2022 and has also had offseason or practice squad stints with the Lions and Bears. Romo was named to the All-XFL team in 2023 after a strong season with the San Antonio Brahmas and has a big leg.
Romo was previously with the Vikings from March until late July of this year, so they're familiar with his ability. He was Reichard's offseason competition until the rookie won the job.
McQuaide, the Vikings' new long snapper, is a 36-year-old veteran who has made two Pro Bowls in his career. He was with the Rams from 2011-2020, spent two seasons witht the Cowboys, and was with the Lions last year. He was briefly on the Bears' practice squad last month. McQuaide played college football at Ohio State.
So, for what will likely be at least four games, the Vikings' specialist trio is Romo at kicker, McQuaide at long snapper, and Ryan Wright at punter/holder.
Will Reichard to IR; Vikings signing K John Parker Romo,
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Re: Will Reichard to IR; Vikings signing K John Parker Romo,
Wow, I don't think I've seen such an unexpected, significant shift due to injury at a critical offensive position since what happened last year to the Vikings at the QB...
Why is this team cursed? I mean seriously, this is getting to the point where it isn't funny anymore if it ever was.
Why is this team cursed? I mean seriously, this is getting to the point where it isn't funny anymore if it ever was.
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Re: Will Reichard to IR; Vikings signing K John Parker Romo,
The kid was doing a great job and toughed it out for the game. Plus the long snapper who was an all pro. Andrew DePaola is facing at least a short-term absence. The veteran long snapper is dealing with a hand injury which will require surgery. One was unexpected both is almost impossible. Now I expect at least one bad snap.VikingLord wrote: ↑Wed Nov 06, 2024 11:00 am Wow, I don't think I've seen such an unexpected, significant shift due to injury at a critical offensive position since what happened last year to the Vikings at the QB...
Why is this team cursed? I mean seriously, this is getting to the point where it isn't funny anymore if it ever was.
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Re: Will Reichard to IR; Vikings signing K John Parker Romo,
Exactly. This team has suffered through 2 straight seasons of improbable bad luck, but not just improbable... almost impossible. And yet despite that bad luck last year they still managed to win enough games to take them out of the running for one of the top QB prospects in this year's draft while losing enough to ensure they'd still have to trade up to get one of the top 6 (assuming one believes Bo Nix was a top 6 prospect).CharVike wrote: ↑Wed Nov 06, 2024 12:04 pmThe kid was doing a great job and toughed it out for the game. Plus the long snapper who was an all pro. Andrew DePaola is facing at least a short-term absence. The veteran long snapper is dealing with a hand injury which will require surgery. One was unexpected both is almost impossible. Now I expect at least one bad snap.VikingLord wrote: ↑Wed Nov 06, 2024 11:00 am Wow, I don't think I've seen such an unexpected, significant shift due to injury at a critical offensive position since what happened last year to the Vikings at the QB...
Why is this team cursed? I mean seriously, this is getting to the point where it isn't funny anymore if it ever was.
Some might say losing a field goal kicker and long snapper isn't that big of a deal, but when so many games come down to small margins those players are critical to the outcome. And of course, their absence might lead to yet a second season where the result is enough wins to devalue their 1st round pick position, but enough losses to ensure its a middle-of-the-road selection.
Team can't catch a break...
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Re: Will Reichard to IR; Vikings signing K John Parker Romo,
Romo’s kicking won that game for us. Long snapper done a great job too.
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Re: Will Reichard to IR; Vikings signing K John Parker Romo,
Will Reichard has been activated and Romo released. Good luck to Romo he did a great job.