It's official: Wil Lutz is back, and with him comes the kicking game confidence that was hard to find throughout the 2021 season.
It was just over a year ago that Lutz suffered a core muscle injury during the offseason that required surgery. A setback ultimately kept him out for the entire season. But he shared his positive health update Monday, a day before the team gets onto the field for its mandatory minicamp.
"After 11 months and multiple surgeries and setbacks….I’ve officially been cleared!!" Lutz posted on Instagram. "No words can explain how hard these 11 months have been mentally and physically, but it’s added a whole new perspective and motivation get back to the top. A lot of work ahead, but I can’t wait be back on the field helping this team win games!!"
Lutz was in attendance throughout Saints OTAs, a positive indicator that Lutz drove through the uprights this week. He was one of several players who missed significant time a year ago. He and Michael Thomas were both expected to return at some point throughout the season, but both suffered setbacks and that return simply never came. In Lutz's absence the Saints turned to a revolving door of kickers, including Aldrick Rosas, Brian Johnson, Cody Parkey and Brett Maher, the latter of whom finally stuck on with consistent performances. He was also the first kicker signed but suffered an injury in the Saints' preseason opener, leading the team down the other routes.
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The most frustrating struggle came in the area that's supposed to be a free point, with Maher, Johnson and Parkey combining to miss 7 of the 38 PATs attempted throughout the season. Over Lutz' 6 NFL seasons, he's missed just 7 total PATs in 260 attempts.