The kicker battle is on!
Update: Washington is also working out former Rams kicker Lucas Havrisik
K Lucas Havrisik is trying out for the Commanders at minicamp. Currently on the sideline wearing No. 19W.
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) June 11, 2024
The Washington Commanders changed kickers through free agency this offseason. Joey Slye was out, and Brandon McManus signed. His time here ended quickly after two flight attendants filed a lawsuit accusing him of sexual assault on a Jacksonville Jaguars team flight to London. He was released a week later, and the Commanders signed Ramiz Ahmed last week to get through OTAs.
The team was expected to continue their kicker search as the United Football League’s season finished. Their championship game is set for June 16th, with the San Antonio Brahmas facing the Birmingham Stallions for the leagues inaugural title. That means that players from the other six teams in the league are now available to try out for the NFL.
The Washington Commanders hosted at least three UFL kickers today, and they could be signing one of them soon. The first name reported this morning was Andre Szmyt(St. Louis Battlehawks). The team also hosted Matthew McCrane(D.C. Defenders) today. Washington, along with several other teams, requested a visit with Jake Bates(Michigan Panthers), who was injured during his last game. That visit will also happen today.
NEWS: XFL Battlehawks kicker Andre Szmyt will work out for the Washington #Commanders, league sources tell @_MLFootball.
Washington has been looking to bring in kicking competition. pic.twitter.com/MnhdY8uJeV
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) June 11, 2024
#Commanders #Packers #Lions #Ravens have requested to host @USFLPanthers all-conference kicker Jake Bates for visits, per a league source. It’s a competitive situation for strong-legged kicker, a former #Texans preseason roster member and @TomballISD graduate @RazorbackFB @KPRC2
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) June 11, 2024
Washington held a kicker workout this morning in Ashburn ahead of mini-camp, per sources. Bates, coming off the UFL season, was not part of that group. The Commanders may wait to sign one for practice until they get eyes on Bates. https://t.co/4hm6ZuEQFz
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) June 11, 2024
K Jake Bates will visit today. Was a UFL standout. https://t.co/X09cjTmSri
— John Keim (@john_keim) June 11, 2024
JUST IN: The Washington Commanders are working out @XFLDefenders K Matthew McCrane and @XFLBattlehawks K Andre Szmyt.
Washington already signed Ramiz Ahmed, and are looking to add more #UFL competition to their kicking room. pic.twitter.com/2tj7b0ikbg
— Christian Paolantonio (@PaolantonioPFN) June 11, 2024
Here’s how UFL kickers fared this season: https://t.co/yKaCxtBEe9 pic.twitter.com/JRsf5zXNOR
— Jake Russell (@_JakeRussell) June 11, 2024