The Jets will have a new kicker when they face the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday afternoon.
The team announced Saturday they have released kicker Matt Ammendola, and signed Alex Kessman to the active roster off their practice squad.
Ammendola was 13-of-19 on field goals and 14-of-15 on extra points this year, but the rookie has missed three field goals in the last two games, including two in a seven-point loss to Miami two weeks ago, and five of his six missed field goals have come in the past six games.
Head coach Robert Saleh intimated earlier in the week that Ammendola’s leash was going to be short after his struggles over the last two games.
"Those are always things we’re going to talk about. We have the young man we signed to the practice squad," Saleh said. "Obviously, every week is competition. So, you got to, just like everyone, you got to earn your keep. And we’ll give him a chance to maintain his job."
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Kessman, an undrafted rookie free agent out of Pitt, signed with the Jets’ practice squad on November 23 after spending training camp with the Chargers. Kessman went 69-of-96 on field goals and 134-of-138 on extra points during his college career, and is Pitt’s all-time leader in 50-plus-yard field goals for a season (four) and a career (12).
The Jets will also once again have running back Austin Walter active on Sunday, as he was one of three players elevated from the practice squad, along with tight end Dan Brown and defensive end Ronnie Blair.
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