Falcons punter Cameron Nizialek’s future with the team is murky after shanking two punts in the 48-25 loss to the Buccaneers Sunday.
“Like every position, we’ll continue to churn the roster if we feel that’s best for us,” Falcons coach Arthur Smith said on Monday. “Same thing, we have to evaluate, same thing, no different than (Jalen) Mayfield last week. There are some things Cam, will probably be the first one to tell you, a couple kicks he’d like back.”
The Falcons are set to have punters in for workouts on Tuesday.
“We’ll assess that throughout the week,” Smith said. “But that’s every spot. If there are ways that we think we can upgrade this roster, we will.”
The Falcons could also look to open up some spots on the practice squad like they did last week to bring in some offensive linemen.
“I like the new rules with the roster flexibility,” Smith said. “It helps you build depth.”
Nizialek, who played at Columbia and Georgia, tried out for the Falcons on Aug. 2 along with Matt Wile and Colby Wadman. Nizialek made the opening roster, but the Falcons could look back at Wile and Wadman if a change is deemed necessary. Sterling Hofrichter, who was drafted by the former regime, was waived with an injury designation on Aug. 4. Then was waived outright on Aug. 26.
Wile and Nizialek have been in and out of camp with the Falcons going back to 2016.
Wile, who’s 6-foot-2 and 225 pounds, punted in one game in 2016 for the Falcons. He also punted in two games for the Falcons in 2019. He was the Vikings regular punter for the 2018 season and averaged 45.2 yards on 72 punts. He has played in 22 games and has averaged 45.5 yards per punt.
Nizialek was signed to the Falcons’ practice squad last season. He was cut in October.
Wadman was the Broncos’ regular punter in 2018 and 2019. He’s punted in 28 NFL games and has averaged 44.5 yards per punt.
Also, punter Dom Maggio, who was the first player signed by the new regime, was waived/injured on Sept. 1 and then waived outright on Sept. 8.
The Falcons could elect to stay with Nizialek.
“Absolutely, as you guys know, it’s a tough business,” Smith said. “We all know what we signed up for. We certainly, we get in there and make sure we are making the best decision for this team. At the same time, there are some positives that Cam has done. ... It’s a fine line of not gong crazy and jerking the wheel. But also giving yourself some options and competition if we feel like that’s best for us. Noting is off the table.”
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