Daniel

Carlson

Carlson was deemed a true game-time decision but appears to be up to the task to kick on Monday night. Groin injuries can be tricky for a kicker, which could influence Josh McDaniels’ tendencies near the outer portions of field goal range tonight. Even so, the Raiders have struggled in the red zone to the tune of a 41.67 percent red zone touchdown rate, meaning Carlson could still find his way into field goal attempts against the stout Lions defense.

The name to know here is James McCourt. McCourt is the kicker the Raiders promoted from the practice squad prior to Monday night’s contest against the Lions. Fantasy managers who weren’t prepared to be without Carlson could conceivably pivot to McCourt if they need a few points from a kicker to push them across the finish line this week. Fantasy managers don’t need to react just yet, as Carlson’s status will be confirmed in the coming hours, but if he can’t go, McCourt is almost certainly available in every league.

Carlson is playing 2021 on the restricted free agent tender. After flaming out with the Vikings, Carlson has found a long-term home with Vegas. He’s 27-of-30 (90%) on field goals this season and has missed just two of his 25 extra points. At $4.6 million per year, Carlson is the league’s third-highest paid kicker.

This is Carlson officially signing his second round restricted free agent tender. Carlson converted 94.3 percent of his 2020 field goal attempts after he was a far worse 73.1 percent in 2019. Carlson was 4-of-4 beyond 50 yards last season as he quietly finished as fantasy’s fourth highest scoring kicker thanks largely to the NFL’s seventh most attempts. He’ll likely be overdrafted in seasonal leagues this season. Coach Jon Gruden evidently believes the 26-year-old is his “kicker of the future.”

No team is giving up a second-rounder for the kicker. Carlson set the Raiders’ franchise record with 144 points last season. The Mike Zimmer castoff was a stunningly consistent waiver wire pickup in 2020 fantasy leagues, finishing the year as the game’s third highest scoring kicker with a hefty 2.2 field goal attempts per game -- the sixth highest mark in the NFL.

Carlson was an exclusive rights free agent. The 25-year-old was not particularly good last season, converting just 19-of-26 field goal attempts (73.1 percent). He will probably face training camp competition.

The Raiders are moving on from Matthew McCrane as they wait on Mike Nugent (hip) to get healthy. A fifth-round rookie out of Auburn, Carlson was cut by the Vikings following a disastrous two-week stint. The Raiders are getting their tank on, and Carlson was good in the SEC, so they are taking a no-risk gamble as they play for draft position and wait on Nugent.

Carlson was an exclusive rights free agent. Signed last October, Carlson ended up converting 94.1 percent of his field goal attempts. It was an excellent bounce back after his NFL career got off to a horrid start with the Vikings. Carlson was the No. 167 overall pick of last year’s draft.

It’s a Black Monday for kickers, as Carlson joins Cleveland’s Zane Gonzalez in getting his walking papers. Carlson missed three field goals in Sunday’s tie with the Packers, including an inconceivable two in overtime. The second was from 35 yards. It’s a disaster ending to a short Vikings tenure that began with the team trading up for Carlson at No. 167 overall.

Kirk Cousins set up the Vikings for a potential win twice in overtime, but Carlson was no good from 49 yards and 35 yards. He also missed a 48-yarder in the second quarter. All three were pushed right. Coach Mike Zimmer said the Vikings will look at Carlson’s spot on the roster after the game, and it would be shocking if they did not at least work out kickers early this week. Dan Bailey is still a free agent.