Although the Raiders placed kicker Sebastian Janikowski on injured reserve on Saturday, he won’t require surgery for the disc issue in his back, meaning he could return later this season, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link).
However, roster management problems could certainly prevent Janikowski from coming back this year. Although the NFL now allows two players to return from injured reserve following an eight-week absence, Oakland is already planning to use one of its slots on second-round safety Obi Melifonwu. With only one IR/designated to return spot remaining, the Raiders may not want to waste that space on a specialist such as Janikowski.
Janikowski, who agreed to a ~$1MM pay reduction last week, has been the Raiders’ kicker since entering the league as a first-round pick in 2000. The 39-year-old boasts a career field goal percentage of 80.4, and performed a notch above that level in 2016, nailing 82.9% of his kicks. Oakland gained 5.3 points of field position on field goals last season, good for fifth in the league, per Football Outsiders.
Janikowski’s replacement, Giorgio Tavecchio, has converted all four of his field goal attempts today — he’s been good from 20, 43, and (twice) 52 yards.
janikowski good luck in your future endeavors