JACKSONVILLE – The Jaguars have a new kicker. Yet again.
And if what has happened at the position for the Jaguars this season seems unusual – perhaps even unprecedented – Head Coach Doug Marrone wouldn't disagree.
"It's unfortunate," Marrone said on his weekly Wednesday videoconference with local media. "When I look back on it … I don't know if it's ever happened, to be honest with you."
Chase McLaughlin, who signed with the Jaguars off the Minnesota Vikings' practice squad Tuesday, is expected to become the Jaguars' sixth kicker in nine games by kicking against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis., Sunday. The Jaguars placed kicker Josh Lambo on injured reserve Monday after he reinjured his left hip in a loss to the Houston Texans Sunday.
Lambo kicked four games this season – Weeks 1, 2, 7 and 9. With Lambo on injured reserve, the Jaguars used four different kickers from Weeks 3-6: Brandon Wright, Aldrick Rosas, Stephen Hauschka and Jon Brown. They had a missed extra point or field goal in all four weeks in which Lambo missed.
"Obviously, it's an important position because it scores points and there's a level of confidence [having a reliable kicker gives a coach]," Marrone said. "But it's the one position you really don't have to spend time getting ready from a schematic standpoint like an offensive player or a defensive player."
McLaughlin was placed on the Jaguars' exempt/commissioner permission list Tuesday as he goes through testing and screening protocols. He is eligible to be removed from that list Saturday.
Marrone on Wednesday said McLaughlin will kick Sunday if he clears protocols.
"I think out of all the positions that you have that you can bring in to do something [with little practice and preparation], that's probably the one position," Marrone said. "I'm sure there might be others. I haven't put a lot of thought to it."
McLaughlin spent the first nine weeks of the season on the Vikings' practice squad. Originally signed by the Buffalo Bills as an undrafted rookie free agent following the 2019 NFL Draft, McLaughlin has appeared in 11 NFL games with the Indianapolis Colts, Los Angeles Chargers and San Francisco 49ers – all in 2019.
He has converted 18 of 23 field goals and 26 of 26 extra points.
"I've not seen him live," Marrone said. "I've heard a lot of good things about him. I'm excited to see what he does. I'll have a better feel on Saturday. That's when the protocol will open him up to be here."
Marrone said punter Logan Cooke will handle punting and kicking duties in practice this week. Cooke will punt and kickoff Sunday with McLaughlin kicking field goals.
"Right now, our plan is we'll have Logan working all three phases," Marrone said. "Because Logan handles kickoffs, we're really just looking at one phase – the field goals."
Lambo since joining the Jaguars in 2017 has converted 95 percent of his field goals, including 12 of 13 from more than 50 yards. He never has missed a field goal for the Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field and he tied a franchise record for longest field goal with a 59-yarder against Houston Sunday.
