With punter Blake Gillikin nursing an ankle injury suffered on his only punt against the Seahawks Sunday, the Arizona Cardinals held tryouts with five punters Tuesday including one with local roots.
It’s likely one will be signed to the practice squad in the event he is needed if Gillikin can’t play against the Patriots. The Cardinals cleared a spot on the practice squad by releasing offensive lineman Keith Ismael.
Gillikin currently ranks third in the NFL with a 44.3 net average and ninth in overall average at 49.7.
Gillikin is the also the holder on placekicks and he did that for kicker Chad Ryland’s missed 40-yard field-goal attempt in the fourth quarter.
Ryland punted three times in the game after Gillikin’s injury and averaged 39.0 yards in both gross and net. One went out of bounds and there were fair catches on the other two.
Special teams coordinator Jeff Rodgers said the goal after what happened Sunday is “just handle the situation. If the ball goes forward and we get out of the play … I think Chad was close if not achieved a 40 net; you’re going to take that every time. I will.”
Here are the five punters that had tryouts.