Patriots put K Gostkowski on IR

The New England Patriots placed veteran kicker Stephen Gostkowski on injured reserve Wednesday. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that Gostkowski will require season-ending surgery for a left hip injury and would be ready for the 2020 season.

Multiple outlets reported that the Patriots worked out free-agent kickers Wednesday, and ESPN's Mike Reiss reported that veteran Kai Forbath was among them. Matthew Wright, a rookie from UCF who was in camp with the Pittsburgh Steelers, was also part of the workout but won't be signed, according to Reiss' reporting. Gostkowski is in his 14th season as New England's kicker, but he struggled this season, missing four extra-point attempts in 15 tries. He made 7 of 8 field-goal attempts, with a long of 41.

The 35-year-old has helped the Patriots win three Super Bowls since the team selected him in the fourth round of the 2006 draft as a replacement for Adam Vinatieri, who had left for the Indianapolis Colts. "Whoever the next guy is who comes in here, he doesn't need to try to be Steve, doesn't need to try to be Adam Vinatieri," Patriots special teams captain Matthew Slater told reporters. "He just needs to be himself. He'll be here for a reason, and that reason will be that coach Bill Belichick thinks he is going to give us the best chance to help this team win."

Gostkowski has made 374 of 428 field-goal attempts (87.4 percent) in his career, including 25 of 35 from 50-plus yards. He is a four-time Pro Bowl selection and was chosen first-team All-Pro in 2008 and 2015. He has not missed a game since 2010.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)