Denver Broncos kicker Wil Lutz missed Saturday’s practice with the team to attend former teammate Drew Brees’ induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. That was no problem, because apparently the team has another kicker on the roster who is more than capable of making a few field goals.
With Lutz out on Saturday, veteran safety Brandon Jones filled in. And while his status as the backup kicker after what started as a joke with special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi, considering his only real experience is playing soccer in the past, it’s now looking like a very real thing.
“I didn’t kick in high school or college, I just have some history in playing soccer,” Jones said via Pro Football Talk. “I don’t know how I even got to kick. I think I just was joking with Riz like, ‘Yo, I can kick if you ever need an emergency-kicker-type of situation.’ Then he called my bluff and put me to the test one day, I think it was some time last year, and I made an extra point.”
During Saturday’s practice, Jones went 3-for-4 on field goals – better than some full-time kickers throughout the league – with the longest being a 41-yarder. However, Jones said that he has made one as long as 50 yards while working with Lutz in practice.
That said, Jones isn’t sure if he’s quite ready for the pressure that comes with being a full-time kicker with the game on the line. However, he’d love to attempt a field goal in a blowout.
“If we’re winning by a lot, no big deal. Hopefully, I don’t think it would ever come down to a game-time thing where I would need to make it to win. If it comes down to that, just pray for me, that’s all I can say,” Jones said.
As for his soccer experience, Jones is well aware that he is not good enough to play at the Major League Soccer level, but he said he would love to try out for an MLS team when he retires from the NFL, just for the challenge of it.
“Played some club soccer, stopped in high school because I was like, ‘Let’s be real, I’m a football player,’” Jones said.
We’ll have to see whether or not Jones gets his chance to attempt a field goal this year during a game. But during Saturday’s practice, he proved he does indeed have the leg.
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