The Minnesota Vikings couldn’t have been more pleased with the performance of their rookie kicker, Will Reichard, who exceeded all expectations in his first NFL season. However, he wasn’t quite himself in Week 9 against the Indianapolis Colts due to an injury. With Reichard now on injured reserve, where do the Vikings go at kicker from here?
Will Reichard Had Been One of the Best Kickers in Football
Even though he’s a rookie, Reichard was kicking like a seasoned veteran. He’s made all 23 of his extra-point attempts and 87.5% of his field goals. But he was even better than that.
After not missing a kick over the season’s first eight weeks, both of Reichard’s missed field goals came last week against the Colts. When Reichard suddenly couldn’t find the uprights against Indianapolis, it didn’t make sense.
Missing a 53-yarder is one thing. But missing a 31-yarder? That doesn’t happen.
Reichard remained the kicker throughout the game and was able to make all three of his extra-point attempts, but he was clearly hobbled and in distress after each kick.
After the game, it was revealed Reichard injured his quad, and on Monday, the Vikings placed him on IR.
Who Will Replace Reichard?
After losing Reichard, Minnesota turned to a somewhat familiar face as a replacement, signing John Parker Romo to be its interim kicker.
The #Vikings are signing free-agent K John Parker Romo, sources tell me and @TomPelissero. A former undrafted free agent with the #Saints, Romo was with Minnesota this offseason. Now set to make his NFL regular-season debut with the team. pic.twitter.com/jGGVEcPlsU
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) November 5, 2024
Parker Romo was initially signed by the New Orleans Saints in 2022. After not making the team, he kicked for the XFL’s San Antonio Brahmas in their return season in 2023.
Following the XFL season, Parker Romo latched on with the Chicago Bears but did not make the team. His next attempt at a professional kicking job came with the Vikings, signing with Minnesota in March after free agency opened up. Unfortunately, he was cut at the start of training camp.
Given that the Vikings were already familiar with Parker Romo and the fact that he was nearly their kicker, he was the most logical choice for them once Reichard went down.
We will see how Parker Romo fares as he makes his NFL debut this Sunday. A good showing over these next few weeks would go a long way toward earning him a future opportunity with another team.