September 28, 2015
According to a report from Ian Rapoport from NFL Network, the Eagles have placed kicker Cody Parkey on injured reserve, which will end his season. To replace Parkey, the Eagles signed former Dolphin Caleb Sturgis.
The #Eagles are placing K Cody Parkey on IR with a groin injury, out for the season. They will sign Caleb Sturgis, sources say
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 28, 2015
Cody Parkey was hampered by a groin injury throughout the preseason, and he struggled mightily with his kickoffs against the Jets Week 3, but his injury was not thought to be serious.
In his weekly "day after the game press conference," Chip Kelly downplayed Parkey's status. "Cody got hurt in pregame a little bit yesterday," said Kelly, "so just precautionary measures. He did play in the game for us and kicked well when he was in the game but I haven't gotten anything today in terms of in-for-treatment and what's going on with him. We'll see."
The Eagles had serious concerns at kicker heading into the 2014 season when Alex Henery and Carey "Murderleg" Spear had one of the most uninspiring kicker competitions you'll ever see. Then just before the season began, the Eagles traded for Parkey, who went on to make the Pro Bowl as a rookie.
Sturgis had a disappointing first two seasons with the Miami Dolphins, when he connected on just 77.5% of his field goal attempts. (That's not good). However, at the University of Florida, Sturgis hit on 22 of 26 (84.6%) field goal attempts in 2011 and 24 of 28 (85.7%) in 2012. He was also 6 for 8 from beyond 50 yards in 2011-2012. The Dolphins drafted Sturgis in the fifth round of the 2013 draft.
Sturgis once injured himself in a kickball game. So there's that.
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