Sports

Nick Folk Released By Patriots After Appendectomy

Nick Folk wasn't expected to miss much time, but the team cut the veteran kicker days before playing Houston.

Nick Folk
Nick Folk (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Black Friday was indeed such for Nick Folk. The Patriots released the veteran kicker after he had an emergency appendectomy this week.

The Patriots signed Kai Forbath as his replacement.

Folk wasn't expected to miss much time, but he was going to be out for the Patriots' game Sunday night in Houston.

Find out what's happening in Foxboroughfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

It was assumed Folk would stick around on the roster while he recovered and resume his regular role as the team's primary kicker, but New England opted to cut Folk instead.

While Folk could return to the team, he could also be scooped up by any other team looking for kicking help — or looking to keep a kicker from the Patriots.

Find out what's happening in Foxboroughfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Folk played well in three games for New England, hitting on 7 of 9 field goal attempts and converting all of his extra-point attempts. He replaced longtime kicker Stephen Gostowksi, who is out for the season with an injury.

Forbath, 32, last played in 2018, hitting 4 of 5 field goal attempts and all three extra-point attempts for Jacksonville.

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.