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In a puzzling move, the Green Bay Packers announced Saturday they have signed former Los Angeles Chargers punter Drew Kaser.
The team did not disclose any injury to punter JK Scott, which makes the Kaser signing a strange one. Scott hasn’t been bad during his rookie season as he currently ranks 15th in the NFL in average yards per punt (45.3) and seventh overall in net yardage (42.8). He has only landed eight punts inside the 20 however which places Scott in a tie for 26th in the league with Rigoberto Sanchez of the Indianapolis Colts. It’s not a lights out rookie season by any means but Scott has been far from a liability.
As for Kaser, he was a sixth round pick of the Chargers in 2016 and averaged 47.4 yards per punt with a 40.2 net average. He’s also attempted eight kickoffs in his career with two resulting in touchbacks.
According to Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Scott is still the punter for the Packers but he may not be active Sunday night. Only one punter will be active against the Patriots per Silverstein.
The reason for this move may be a very simple one, however. Earlier this season, Scott and his wife revealed that they are expecting a baby in November, so Kaser’s addition may just be insurance for the team in case delivery is imminent.
Regardless, Green Bay now has two punters on its roster and could still very well have an unexpected punter competition on its hands mid-season.
Keep it here at APC for more as the story develops.