MINNEAPOLIS— Minnesota Vikings standout rookie kicker Will Reichard is reportedly headed to injured reserve after missing two kicks in Sunday’s game victory over the Indianapolis Colts. The team signs a familiar face to replace him.
According to the NFL Network, the Vikings are adding John Parker Romo, who competed with Reichard during the Vikings’ training camp last offseason.
Reichard had been perfect the season before Sunday, when he missed a 53-yarder and a 31-yarder.
Special teams coordinator Matt Daniels said the quad injury Reichard was dealing with was not the cause of the missed kicks. He felt his quad tighten after hitting his first extra point of the game, which happened after the two missed field goals. The Vikings still defeated the Colts 21-13.
“Man, that guy is as tough as anyone comes out. He was able to work it out and get through the game, still able to hit the kickoff balls that we needed him for and still able to still to score two extra points for us,” Daniels said.
A stint on the IR means Reichard will miss at least four games.
“He’s done an incredible job thus far and he’ll continue to do so,” special teams coordinator Matt Daniels said Tuesday. “His confidence is unwavering, it will always be there, the highest confidence.”
Romo went 17/19 for the San Antonio Brahmas of the XFL in 2023, with the longest kick being a 57-yarder. The Vikings waived him in July.
The Vikings drafted Reichard out of Alabama in the sixth round of April’s NFL draft.
Viking long snapper Andrew DePaolo needs a procedure on his hand, Daniels said, so the Vikings will have to make a move at that position as well.
