Dustin Hopkins, Chris Blewitt, Joey Slye, Brian Johnson, Joey Slye.
Washington has used four kickers this season and Slye has twice been the guy.
Slye who kicked at North Stafford High and then Virginia Tech, was back Sunday and had a very good game against the Eagles in a 20-16 loss.
The former Hokie was good on all three of his attempts from 31, 39 and 55 yards. In fact, Slye has successfully converted all nine of his field-goal attempts and eight of nine extra points kicking for Washington.
Slye in 2019 and 2020 kicked all 16 games for …. you guessed it, the Carolina Panthers. He primarily kicked off in 2019 and added extra points and field goals in 2020.
However, Carolina cut Slye in this 2021 preseason (Aug. 28). Nearly a month went by when the Houston Texans added Slye to their roster on Sept. 23. Kicking in the next three games, Slye was successful on four of five field goals and seven of eight extra-point attempts but was waived by the Texans.
Claimed by San Francisco, Slye in three games was good on seven of eight field goals but missed two of four extra points and was subsequently cut by the 49ers on Nov. 2.
Nov. 9, Washington waived Blewitt and picked up Slye. Against Seattle in a home Monday night game, Slye had an extra point blocked, and during the two-point return, pulled a hamstring.
Enter Brian Johnson. Johnson was good on both of his field-goal attempts, including from 48 yards to defeat the Las Vegas Raiders.
Yet, Slye possesses the bigger leg, and Sunday’s 55-yarder to close out the first half was impressive.
Huge kick from Joey Slye, who is 9-for-9 since joining #WashingtonFootball. pic.twitter.com/XbQvjYije3
— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) January 2, 2022
Four kickers for an NFL team in one season, means there have been struggles, and close games lost. But Joey Slye is surely building his own confidence and the confidence of his teammates and coaches.
