Vinatieri announced his decision to retire from the NFL on Wednesday, Andrew Callahan of Boston Herald reports.
Analysis: Vinatieri hasn't suited up for a game since 2019, and he will now hang up the cleats at age 48. A four-time Super Bowl champion and three-time All-Pro, in addition to the record holder for most points scored (2,673), Vinatieri should be a lock for Hall of Fame honors.
May 26, 2021 12:12 PM EST
Colts coach Frank Reich said Vinatieri continues to rehab his surgically repaired left knee, Joel A. Erickson of The Indianapolis Star reports.
Analysis: The update regarding Vinatieri's health partially confirms why he remains unsigned. His performance in his age-48 season likely explains most of it, though, as he made 17 of 25 FGAs (68 percent) and 22 of 22 PATs (78.6 percent), easily the worst marks of his storied career. With his plant leg still not 100 percent, Vinatieri may find it difficult to interest an employer. Considering all the unknowns of the upcoming season, though, there's a chance he'll kick again once he can prove his health.
Jul 29, 2020 2:48 PM EST
Vinatieri wants to return for his 25th season, but rehab on his surgically-repaired knee has slowed, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: It appears as if quarantine-related challenges have caused some problems in Vinatieri's rehab, to the point that it's possible the veteran kicker could potentially not be ready by the projected start of the NFL season. At the very least, it seems likely the 47-year-old kicker will not return to Indianapolis considering the team extend Chase McLaughin and also offered undrafted rookie free agent, and Lou Groza Award winner Rodrigo Blankenship, a sizable signing bonus, essentially solidifying the kicker competition.
Apr 29, 2020 11:44 AM EST
Vinatieri (knee) was rehabbing at the Colts' facility earlier this offseason and hasn't ruled out playing in 2020, Zak Keefer of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Vinatieri struggled through the worst season of his lengthy career in 2019, missing eight field-goal attempts and six PATs in 12 games before a left knee injury forced him to injured reserve in early December. He's hoping to bounce back from surgery and play a 25th NFL season, but the 47-year-old likely will need to compete with Chase McLaughlin if he does in fact re-sign with the Colts. McLaughlin saw action for three different teams last year, converting 18 of 23 field-goal attempts (78.3 percent) and each of his 26 PATs, with all five misses coming in the 40-to-49-yard range. Vinatieri wouldn't necessarily be the favorite in a job battle.
Mar 31, 2020 8:46 AM EST
Vinatieri (knee), who is set to become an unrestricted free agent in March, is facing competition for the Colts' placekicker position from Chase McLaughlin, Mike Wells of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Vinatieri is coming off a down season in which he converted just 17 of 25 field-goal attempts. His campaign came to an early end due to a left knee injury, for which the 47-year-old required season-ending surgery. While Vinatieri hasn't ruled out returning for a 25th campaign, further clarity on his situation likely won't come until later in the offseason. McLaughlin, who received a one-year contract extension from Indianapolis, made five of six field-goal tries in four games with the team.
Jan 17, 2020 9:49 AM EST
The Colts officially placed Vinatieri (knee) on injured reserve Monday.
Analysis: Vinatieri never seemed to get over the left knee issue that plagued him during the preseason, hitting just 17 of 25 field-goal attempts and 22 of 28 point-after tries in 12 games. The Colts opted to hold him out for their 13th contest of the season this past Sunday at Tampa Bay, and now season-ending surgery has been ordered up. With his fate decided for the remainder of 2019, he'll hand over kicking duties to Chase McLaughlin. Looking ahead, though, Vinatieri wouldn't rule out returning for a 25th campaign, per Mike Chappell of Fox 59 News Indianapolis.
Dec 9, 2019 4:13 PM EST
Vinatieri (knee) said Monday that he hopes to have "another chapter left" in his career, Mike Chappell of Fox 59 News Indianapolis reports.
Analysis: Vinatieri is set to undergo season-ending surgery on his left knee Wednesday, so a move to place him on injured reserve is almost certainly forthcoming. The 46-year-old battled through lingering meniscus and patellar tendon this season, en route to notching the worst statistical marks of his career. Through 12 contests in 2019, Vinatieri made 17 of 25 field-goal tries and 22 of 28 extra-point attempts. His procedure will carry an expected 4-6 week recovery timetable, so he should be ready for offseason workouts if he indeed decides to continue his career for a 25th campaign. The four-time Super Bowl champion is set to become a free agent at the end of the season.
Dec 9, 2019 11:13 AM EST
Vinatieri is slated to undergo season-ending knee surgery, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: Per the report, the Colts plan to place Vinatieri on IR, which sets the stage for Chase McLaughlin to handle the team's placekicking duties down the stretch. Vinatieri's 2019 season thus ends with the 46-year-old having made 17 of 25 field-goal attempts and 22 of 28 extra-point tries.
Dec 9, 2019 7:02 AM EST
Vinatieri (left knee) has been ruled out from playing in Sunday's game at Tampa Bay, Mike Wells of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Chase McLaughlin, who the Colts claimed off waivers, will take over placekicking duties. It's not clear if Vinatieri will return this season, but the team is not placing him on IR yet as his injury is said to be week to week. Vinatieri experienced pain in his left knee prior to the Colts' Week 13 loss to the Titans, and the injury only intensified in the aftermath of the contest.
Dec 6, 2019 10:44 AM EST
Vinatieri (knee), who sat out Thursday's practice, will await the results of the MRI he required earlier this week before his status for Sunday's game against the Buccaneers is determined, Andrew Walker of the Colts' official site reports.
Analysis: Vinatieri experienced pain in his left knee prior to the Colts' Week 13 loss to the Titans, and the injury only intensified in the aftermath of the contest. With Vinatieri practicing on a limited in the first session of Week 14 before logging no activity Thursday, he's trending in the wrong direction ahead of Sunday's game. Chase McLaughlin, whom the Colts claimed off waivers earlier this week, would handle kicking duties in Tampa Bay if Vinatieri can't go.
Dec 5, 2019 3:41 PM EST
Vinatieri, who indicated that he's experiencing increased discomfort in his knee, won't kick at practice Thursday, Stephen Holder of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: The report notes that the kicker's knee "has been a lingering issue through the season, but is now exacerbated." Considering that, Vinatieri is no lock to suit up Sunday against the Buccaneers. With that possibility looming, the Colts claimed Chase McLaughlin off waivers from the 49ers on Wednesday.
Dec 5, 2019 10:00 AM EST
Vinatieri underwent an MRI on his knee after practice Wednesday and may not be available for Sunday's game at Tampa Bay, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: The Colts claimed Chase McLaughlin off waivers as Vinatieri was limited at Wednesday's practice, indicating the veteran's availability was likely in doubt. The 46-year-old is enduring the worst season of his storied career, making only 68 percent of field goals while also missing six extra-point attempts. McLaughlin filled in for both the Chargers and 49ers this season, making 13 of 17 field goals and all 15 extra points. Vinatieri is expected to have his status updated Thursday morning.
Dec 4, 2019 7:51 PM EST
Vinatieri (knee) is facing competition following the Colts' decision to claim Chase McLaughlin off waivers Wednesday, Andrew Walker of the team's official site reports.
Analysis: Vinatieri was limited in Wednesday's practice due to a knee injury, an issue which could be related to the discomfort he dealt with during the preseason. The 46-year-old veteran has struggled with accuracy issues this season, having made a career-low 68 percent of field-goal attempts through 12 games. He's now dealing with competition from an undrafted rookie in McLaughlin, who recently logged an impressive three-game stretch while filling in for Robbie Gould with the 49ers, during which he converted seven of eight field-goal attempts and all eight extra-point tries. Vinatieri's status will be worth monitoring heading into Sunday's tilt against the Buccaneers.
Dec 4, 2019 2:48 PM EST
Vinatieri (knee) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, Kevin Bowen of 107.5 The Fan Indianapolis reports.
Analysis: Vinatieri, 46, showed up on the Colts' injury report for the first time this season, but all signs point to the veteran kicker taking the field Sunday. It is worth noting that Vinatieri dealt with knee discomfort on his plant leg during the preseason. Be sure to monitor his status in the days to come.
Dec 4, 2019 2:13 PM EST
Vinatieri converted on just one of four field goals but made both extra-point tries in Sunday's 31-17 loss to the Titans.
Analysis: The Colts deployed Vinatieri from deep, as he tried field goals from 55, 53 and 46 yards, missing the first wide right and having the other two blocked. The second blocked kick was the nail in the coffin for the Colts, as Vinatieri lined up for a potential go-ahead field goal in the fourth quarter, but it was blocked and Titans cornerback Tye Smith returned it 63 yards for a touchdown. While there were blocking issues on the attempt, Vinatieri dropped to 17 for 27 (68 percent) on the season as the Colts are watching their AFC South hopes slip away.
Dec 2, 2019 8:05 AM EST
Vinatieri converted his only field-goal try and both extra-point attempts during Thursday's 20-17 loss to the Texans.
Analysis: Vinatieri has been perfect in two consecutive contests, but he's only logged two field-goal tries in that span. The 46-year-old wasn't asked to do much during Thursday's loss, with his only field-goal attempt coming from 36 yards out, but it's nonetheless encouraging to see him reestablishing his accuracy after a rocky start to the season.
Nov 22, 2019 7:25 AM EST
Vinatieri converted his lone field-goal try and all four extra-point attempts during Sunday's 33-13 win over the Jaguars.
Analysis: Vinatieri wasn't asked to make any truly difficult kicks during Sunday's win -- his only field-goal attempt came from 34 yards out -- but the veteran notably avoided making any mistakes after having missed a crucial extra point Week 10. The 46-year-old will work to log another solid performance against the Texans in Week 12.
Nov 18, 2019 9:44 AM EST
Coach Frank Reich said Wednesday that Vinatieri will remain the Colts' kicker, Kevin Bowen of 1070 The Fan Indianapolis reports.
Analysis: Vinatieri missed a crucial extra point during Sunday's 16-12 loss to the lowly Dolphins, which likely was a factor in Reich's decision to go for it on fourth down in the red zone late in the fourth quarter instead of potentially tying the game with a field goal. The 46-year-old has missed 11 kicks (six extra points, five field goals) this season, including five misfires when the score was within three points. Perhaps the greatest kicker of all time, Vinatieri has a longer leash than most, as any other player performing this poorly would have been shown the door by now. The 46-year-old will look to get back on track Sunday against the Jaguars.
Nov 13, 2019 10:42 AM EST
Vinatieri converted all four field-goal attempts and his lone extra-point try during Sunday's win over the Chiefs.
Analysis: Vinatieri struggled with accuracy during Indianapolis' first four games, but he turned in a convincing performance Week 5 en route to a big win over Kansas City. Heading into the Colts' bye week, the 46-year-old veteran has successfully quieted rumors concerning a potential mid-season retirement.
Oct 7, 2019 10:33 AM EST
Vinatieri made one of two field-goal attempts and all three extra points in Sunday's 31-24 loss to the Raiders.
Analysis: Vinatieri had his fair share of struggles through the first two games, missing three of five extra points and two of three field-goal attempts. This miss isn't like the rest, as a 57-yard attempt isn't a lock for most kickers, even Vinatieri, and it didn't shape the outcome of the game. Still, it adds to his ongoing struggles and is worth monitoring.
Sep 30, 2019 2:40 PM EST
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