It sounds like Marquette King‘s tenure in Denver has come to an end. Ryan O’Halloran of the Denver Post reports (via Twitter) that the punter will be placed on the injured reserve. Mike Klis of 9News in Denver tweets that the organization plans to release the punter when he’s healthy in a couple of weeks. Punter Colby Wadman has been promoted from the practice squad to take the open roster spot.
The well-known punter was suddenly released by the Raiders back in April, with reports indicating that head coach Jon Gruden wasn’t a fan of King’s outspoken personality. The 29-year-old received interest from the Vikings and Giants, but he ended up inking a three-year deal with the Broncos later that month. The deal was worth $2MM, and King could have made up to $7MM had he hit incentives.
King’s 20 punts have traveled an average of 44.1 yards this season, which ranks 22nd in the NFL. However, he has managed to place seven punts inside the 20-yard line, placing him just outside of the top-10. The punter apparently suffered a right thigh injury during Monday’s game against the Chiefs, and he was later listed as doubtful for this weekend’s contest. After Monday’s game, Vance Joseph called out King for his lackluster performance (via Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com), and the head coach didn’t attribute the ineffectiveness to the injury. King finished that game with three punts for 123 yards (41.0-yard average), including one 51-yarder and one punt placed inside the 20.
The 2012 undrafted free agent out of Fort Valley State led all punters in Pro Bowl fan voting last year. He was the NFL’s punting yards leader in 2014, and he earned a second-team All-Pro nod in 2016. Last year, King’s 47.4 yards per punt average was good for sixth in the NFL, and his net average of 42.7 yards was third.
Wadman, a 2017 undrafted free agent out of UC Davis, spent some time with the Raiders before joining the Broncos practice squad in September. During his final collegiate season in 2017, Wadman averaged 43.2 yards per punt.
I guess I don’t really understand punting, because aside from his injury it looked like he was doing a fine job. But I guess considering his pay, you need better than fine. Seems like coach Vance should be complaining about his qb play tho
Pittsburgh: You need that guy or Shane Lechler in place of “35 yard man” that you currently have.