NFL PLAYER NEWS

Vikings cut Forbath, hand kicking duties to Carlson

The Sports Xchange

August 20, 2018 at 2:17 pm.

Aug 11, 2018; Denver, CO, USA; Minnesota Vikings kicker Daniel Carlson (7) kicks a successful 57 yard field goal in the third quarter against the Denver Broncos at Broncos Stadium at Mile High. Photo Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Aug 11, 2018; Denver, CO, USA; Minnesota Vikings kicker Daniel Carlson (7) kicks a successful 57 yard field goal in the third quarter against the Denver Broncos at Broncos Stadium at Mile High. Photo Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

The Minnesota Vikings released Kai Forbath on Monday in a move that puts rookie Daniel Carlson in line to be the team’s kicker for the upcoming season.

Carlson, who was selected in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL Draft, made both of his field-goal attempts — including a 57-yard kick — in the team’s first preseason game against the Denver Broncos. He also improved to 4-for-4 on extra points by making his lone attempt versus the Jacksonville Jaguars on Saturday.

Forbath wasn’t as fortunate, as he misfired on a 41-yard field-goal attempt against the Jaguars.

“We just figured it was getting close to the last couple preseason games,” coach Mike Zimmer said, per ESPN. “Kai did a great job while he was here. He’s a great kid. We just decided to go with Daniel.”

Forbath went 116-for-136 on his field-goal attempts with the Washington Redskins, New Orleans Saints and Vikings. The 30-year-old Forbath connected on a career-high 32 field-goal attempts last season — including six from at least 50 yards.

Six also was the magic number on Oct. 22, as Forbath made that many field goals — including attempts from 52 and 51 yards out — in Minnesota’s 24-16 victory over the Baltimore Ravens. He was named the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week for his efforts.

Forbath recorded a personal-best 38 field-goal attempts and finished with 130 points last season.

Also on Monday, the Vikings placed rookie defensive end Ade Aruna on injured reserve after he was carted off the field against the Jaguars with a knee injury.

Offensive tackle Cedric Lang (leg), tight end Josiah Price (knee) and rookie fullback Johnny Stanton (ankle) have been waived with injury designations, the team announced.

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