The Saints got a strong kicking performance from Brian Johnson in his first career game, a positive result considering the kicker gutpunch that landed Tuesday morning.
Wil Lutz is done for the year, the kicker announced on social media in the hours after a 13-10 Saints victory over the Seahawks.
"2021 has been filled with adversity, personally, but with adversity comes an exciting challenge,' Lutz posted. "Unfortunately I had a setback during the rehab process that forced me to shift my focus to being 100% healthy for the long term and shut it down for the season."
Lutz didn't specify the setback, but it came in the days following his return to practice after beginning the season on injured reserve. He'd been on the shelf while recovering from core muscle surgery to repair an injury suffered during the preseason. The Saints have signed multiple kickers in the interim, including Brett Maher, Cody Parkey and Aldrick Rosas, all of whom were ultimately waived. The Saints signed Johnson off the Chicago Bears practice squad, and the young kicker hit two short field goals in his NFL debut to secure the win.
"I want nothing more than to be out there with my teammates helping us win games, and I look forward to doing that when healthy," Lutz continued.
The Saints will hope Johnson's mettle wasn't a mirage as they turn to an NFC South showdown with the Bucs in Week 8, knowing their rock-steady kicker won't be an option until the 2022 season.
