Anyone watching the Chargers game couldn't help but notice that San Diego lost kicker Nate Kaeding to injury on the first play of the game. While the exact prognosis of the injury is unknown, one thing is certain: the Chargers will need another kicker for at least next week (and probably longer). I've come up with a quick and dirty list of some of the options. There are other guys out there, players who have kicked a game or two or who have kicked in training camps, but these ones are the most experienced an/or recognizable.
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Nick Novak
Was with the Chargers during training camp in 2010. Kicked in 22 NFL games for 3 different teams. 63.3% FG percentage. He was born in and lived in San Diego until age 13. -
Jeff Reed
Longtime reliable kicker for the Steelers who got cut last year after struggling for most of the season. Went to camp with the Seahawks, but was cut in favor of ex-Ravens kicker Steve Hauschka. -
Shayne Graham
Longtime kicker for the Cincinnati Bengals, but was cut after a terrible playoff game (against the Jets a week before Kaeding's bad day against the Jets). Played for the Giants and Patriots in 2010 and tried to make up for his 2009 playoff struggles by going 2 for 2 in New England's playoff game. -
Kris Brown
Chargers brought him in last year when Nate Kaeding got hurt. Results weren't great. - Louie Sakoda
Was a member of the Chargers during 2009's training camp coming out of Utah. He is now kicking for the Edmonton Eskimos of the CFL. If Kaeding is out for the year then perhaps they can buy him out of his contract (or whatever you have to do to get a CFL player to come south). -
John Carney
47 years old. Trained with professional kickers and punters in the offseason. Is interested in the job as well as a future kicker consultant job. Would be useless on kickoffs and FG attempts beyond 45-50 yards. -
Dave Rayner
Has been on 6 different teams in his 6 years in the NFL. Early on he was an unreliable FG kicker, but had a good season in Detroit last year as an injury replacement. Was on the Chargers roster for 1 game back in 2007.
Update [9/12 12:09pm]: Nate Kaeding out for the year. Kickers will try out Tuesday. Nick Novak has been invited to tryout.