McLaughlin made two of two extra-point kicks and did not attempt a field goal in Sunday's 37-14 loss to Arizona.
Analysis: McLaughlin did all that he was asked to do, but Cleveland's defense got rolled by the Cardinals and the offense couldn't keep up as it did last week in a 47-42 loss to the Chargers. When needed, McLaughlin has been a steady boot for the Browns, making all nine field-goal attempts and 15 extra-point kicks. He's currently tied for 14th among placekickers with 42 points through six games.
Oct 18, 2021 6:15 AM EST
McLaughlin went 2-for-2 on field-goal attempts and made all four of his extra-point kicks in Sunday's 47-42 loss to the Chargers.
Analysis: McLaughlin was perfect again and has converted all 22 kicks -- nine field goals and 13 extra-points -- through five weeks. This was McLaughlin's second double-digit effort. The third-year journeyman, who's kicked for six teams since entering the NFL in 2019, has earned permanency for the first time.
Oct 11, 2021 5:38 AM EST
McLaughlin made two of two field-goal attempts and was not asked to kick an extra point in Sunday's 14-7 win over the Vikings.
Analysis: McLaughlin, who has not missed a kick yet, converted from 48 and 53 yards in the win. It was his third successful attempt from beyond the 50. The Browns lined up for an extra-point kick after their lone score, but a defensive delay of game penalty changed their thinking. With the penalty enforced, Cleveland head coach Kevin Stefanski opted to go for a two-pointer from the one-yard line, and the team was successful.
Oct 4, 2021 5:59 AM EST
McLaughlin successfully converted four field-goal attempts and two extra-point kicks for 14 points in Sunday's 26-6 win over the Bears.
Analysis: McLaughlin's big day included two field goals from beyond the 50 -- a 57- and 52- yarder -- joining Phil Dawson as the only kickers in franchise history to make two field goals of 50 yards or more in a single game. The Browns' red-zone offense, which had scored six touchdowns on seven trips the first two weeks of the season, got bogged down by Chicago's defense. Cleveland scored one TD and settled for two field goals among its four trips -- a fourth red-zone appearance was on the final series when the Browns took a knee rather than run up the score. For McLaughlin, who won the kicking derby during preseason by default, he hasn't missed a kick yet.
Sep 27, 2021 6:01 AM EST
McLaughlin successfully converted his lone field-goal attempt and all three extra-point kicks in Sunday's 31-21 win over Houston.
Analysis: Through two weeks, McLaughlin's has not had much to do. Week 2's field goal was his first attempt of the season, as the Browns have scored touchdowns on six of seven drives that reached the red zone. McLaughlin's made all of his extra points and on kickoffs that are returned, the opponents' average starting field position is the 20-yard line.
Sep 20, 2021 5:16 AM EST
McLaughlin made three of three extra-point kicks in Sunday's 33-29 loss to the Chiefs.
Analysis: McLaughlin came out of the preseason as the only rostered kicker, but it wasn't until just before the start of the regular season that the Browns confirmed him as their placekicker. That left his status murky entering fantasy drafts, but he did nothing to lose the job Sunday. The Browns scored touchdowns on all four trips to the red zone, so no field-goal attempts, and head coach Kevin Stefanski opted for a two-point conversion following an encroachment penalty on what was supposed to be a kick. Three of his five kickoffs were touchbacks, and the two kicks that were returned left the Chiefs with an average field position of the 19.5-yard line.
Sep 13, 2021 6:16 AM EST
McLaughlin (hamstring) is active for Sunday's season opener against Kansas City.
Analysis: Though McLaughlin was a full participant in practice Friday, he was listed as questionable for Sunday's game. However, he's good to go after all, while fellow kicker Chris Naggar has been made inactive by the Browns.
Sep 12, 2021 12:27 PM EST
Though McLaughlin was a full participant in practice Friday, he's listed as questionable for Sunday's season opener against the Chiefs with a hamstring injury, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
Analysis: We'll monitor McLaughlin's status leading up to Sunday's 4:25 ET kickoff, but he's currently the only kicker on Cleveland's active roster. If his Week 1 status is indeed in any danger, the Browns have the option of elevating Chris Naggar from their practice squad.
Sep 10, 2021 12:26 PM EST
Cleveland head coach Kevin Stefanski said McLaughlin will be the team's placekicker Week 1 against the Chiefs, Andrew Gribble of the Browns' official site reports.
Analysis: McLaughlin outkicked Cody Parkey in training camp but was not declared the de facto kicker until Monday. The Browns added Chris Nagger to the practice squad last week, but it will not affect McLaughlin's status at this time. Made all of his preseason kicks before missing on a 56-yard field field-goal attempt then later an extra-point kick in the third preseason game.
Sep 7, 2021 5:21 AM EST
McLaughlin was successful on two of three field-goal attempts and one of two extra-point kicks in Sunday's 19-10 win over Atlanta in preseason Week 3.
Analysis: McLaughlin is the last kicker standing for the Browns, but he's not a lock to open the regular season two weeks from now. His lone field-goal was a 56-yard attempt at the end of the first half -- it hit the crossbar. He showed a good leg all camp, particularly on kickoffs leading to touchbacks, but the Browns are expected to review available placekickers between now and Week 1.
Aug 30, 2021 6:13 AM EST
McLaughlin is the lone kicker in camp after the Browns waived Cody Parkey on Tuesday, Dan Labbe of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
Analysis: As of Thursday, the Browns had not brought in another leg to challenge McLaughlin, but they aren't committing to him yet. Whether it's head coach Kevin Stefanski or special teams coach Mike Priefer, the staff spoke in coach-speak regarding McLaughlin opening the season as the team's kicker. Stefanski said general manager Andrew Berry will discuss the kicking situation following the final preseason game, while Priefer said he doesn't make those decisions. It looks like McLaughlin will handle the kicking chores in Sunday's preseason finale against Atlanta, then the Browns will assess their kicking situation.
Aug 26, 2021 7:57 PM EST
McLaughlin is in position to handle the Browns' kicking duties, with Cody Parkey headed to IR with a quad injury, Jake Trotter of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: That said, it's quite plausible that the Browns could bring another kicker aboard to challenge McLaughlin, but for now the 25-year-old, who's had regular-season stints with a handful of teams over the last two campaigns, will work behind Cleveland's Baker Mayfield-led offense. It's an assignment that could result in fantasy relevance for McLaughlin, if he ends up cementing it.
Aug 23, 2021 1:06 PM EST
McLaughlin handled all of the kicking duties in the second half of Sunday's 17-13 win over the Giants in Preseason Week 2 due to an injury to Cody Parkey (quadriceps), Andrew Gribble of the Browns' official site reports.
Analysis: McLaughlin has handled all of his scoring kicks this preseason, including a 49-yard field goal with plenty to spare in Sunday's win, and all but one kickoff has resulted in touchbacks. The lone kick returned happened Sunday from two yards inside the end zone and ended up with the Giants at their own 13-yard line. Head coach Kevin Stefanski was not sure how Parkey's injury occurred or the severity. Parkey is still considered the favorite to win the job, but obviously the injury will be a factor in the coming weeks.
Aug 23, 2021 3:39 AM EST
The Browns claimed McLaughlin off waivers from the Jets on Monday, Field Yates of ESPN reports.
Analysis: McLaughlin will get a chance to compete with the Browns this offseason. The team already rostered two kickers, Cody Parkey and Matt McCrane, before claiming McLaughlin.
May 10, 2021 2:21 PM EST
The Jets released McLaughlin on Friday.
Analysis: McLaughlin only made one appearance for the Jets last season, in which he wasn't afforded the chance to make a single field-goal try. He did suit up for three games in Jacksonville, converting four of five field-goal attempts and three of four extra-point tries.
May 7, 2021 12:18 PM EST
McLaughlin made both PAT attempts and didn't attempt a field goal in Sunday's 28-14 loss to New England.
Analysis: McLaughlin made his Jets debut in the season finale after the team waived Sam Ficken. The 24-year-old Illinois product could compete for the kicking job in New York next season, though he didn't do much to give himself a leg up in that competition with this quiet performance.
Jan 3, 2021 6:51 PM EST
McLaughlin will be the Jets' starting kicker in Sunday's game against the Patriots following news that the team waived Sam Ficken.
Analysis: Ficken has played 18 games for four different teams -- the Jets will be his fifth -- since entering the league in 2019. In that stretch, McLaughlin has connected on 22 of 28 field-goal attempts and 29 of 30 extra-point tries. Week 17 may serve as a tryout for McLaughlin's future with the team.
Jan 2, 2021 1:20 PM EST
McLaughlin (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Browns.
Analysis: McLaughlin was claimed off waivers by the Jets on Dec. 14, but he has yet to suit up for Gang Green. Sam Ficken will continue to be the team's starting kicker.
Dec 27, 2020 9:06 AM EST
The Jets claimed McLaughlin off waivers from the Jaguars on Monday, Ralph Vacchiano of SportsNet New York reports.
Analysis: McLaughlin missed two kicks in last week's 27-24 loss to the Vikings, leading to the Jaguars cutting him Saturday. He could land on his feet with a starting role in New York. In this past Sunday's 40-3 loss to the Seahawks, Jets kicker Sergio Castillo missed three of four field-goal tries, and his tenure with the team is likely coming to an end. In turn, McLaughlin likely will start in Sunday's game against the Rams as long as Sam Ficken (groin) doesn't return from IR.
Dec 14, 2020 2:03 PM EST
The Jaguars waived McLaughlin on Saturday.
Analysis: McLaughlin missed two costly kicks in last week's 27-24 overtime loss to the Vikings, leading to yet another rotation for Jacksonville's kickers. The Jags signed Aldrick Rosas to the active roster in a corresponding move, and he'll be the team's starting kicker Sunday against the Titans. If McLaughlin clears waivers, he has a good chance to revert to the team's practice squad.
Dec 12, 2020 1:16 PM EST
News powered by
