The Cincinnati Bengals have placed kicker Evan McPherson on injured reserve following a groin injury he sustained during Sunday’s 44-38 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. This move means McPherson will be sidelined for a minimum of four games, with only five regular-season matchups left in the Bengals’ schedule.
The injury occurred while McPherson was kicking his second extra point in the game, though he managed to complete six kickoffs, three extra points, and a 38-yard field goal afterward. Reflecting on the incident, McPherson credited the adrenaline of the moment for enabling him to continue playing. “Adrenaline is an amazing drug,” he said via the Bengals’ official website. “If you get injured like that in a game, you don’t realize how bad it could be.”
This season, McPherson has connected on 16 of 22 field-goal attempts and converted 37 of 38 extra-point tries in 12 games. Four of his missed field goals were from beyond 50 yards, a range where he has often excelled. Since being drafted in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft out of Florida, McPherson has established himself as one of the most reliable kickers in Bengals history. Over his first three seasons, he made 78 of 93 field-goal attempts and 126 of 132 extra-point attempts.
McPherson holds the franchise record for field goals of 50 or more yards, with 24 in total, far surpassing any other kicker in Bengals history. His prowess from long range also extends to the postseason, where he has made three 50-yarders. One of McPherson’s most notable moments came when he drilled a franchise-record 59-yard field goal against the Steelers on Sept. 11, 2022. Last season, McPherson maintained a perfect record on attempts inside 50 yards, successfully converting all 59 kicks, including 19 field goals and 40 extra points. He also went 7-for-12 on attempts from 50 yards or more.
Ahead of the 2024 season, McPherson solidified his place on the team by signing a three-year, $16.5 million contract extension. His absence now leaves the Bengals in search of stability at the kicker position as they aim to keep their postseason hopes alive.
To fill the void left by McPherson, the Bengals have signed kicker Cade York to their practice squad. York, a former Cleveland Browns kicker, struggled with consistency during his time in the league. After a stint with the Washington Commanders earlier this season, where he missed two field-goal attempts in the season opener, York was released the following day. The Bengals will hope he can step up and deliver under pressure in McPherson’s absence.
Losing McPherson, a key player known for his accuracy and range, is a significant setback for the Bengals. As they push through the remaining games of the season, the team will need their new kicker to perform at a high level while they await McPherson’s return.
