Evan McPherson has been a staple for the Cincinnati Bengals since being drafted in 2021. But McPherson’s season could be over, leaving Cade York as the team’s new kicker.
Below we take a look at what happened to McPherson, as well as York’s own background.
Why Isn’t Evan McPherson Playing?
McPherson suffered a groin injury in the team’s Week 13 defeat to the Pittsburgh Steelers. NFL Media’s Mike Garafolo noted that no surgery was required but that it would keep McPherson out for multiple weeks.
McPherson didn’t suffer an apparent injury on any single play, which suggests this may have been an issue that was lingering for weeks. If so, that would explain the fourth-year kicker’s struggles. McPherson hit a career-low 72.7% of his field goals this season (16-of-22) after hitting 83.9% of his field goal attempts in his first three seasons.
How Long Will Evan McPherson Be Out Due to Injury?
The Bengals placed McPherson on injured reserve prior to Week 14. That means he must miss at least four games, making him eligible to return in Week 18.
However, at 4-8 entering Monday night, Cincinnati’s playoff hopes are on life support. The Bengals almost certainly need to win out to have a prayer at a postseason berth and would need help even at 9-8.
It’s conceivable the Bengals could bring McPherson back for the regular-season finale if they’re still alive in the playoff hunt. But if Cincinnati is eliminated beforehand as expected, then we’ve likely seen the last of McPherson for 2024.
Who is New Bengals Kicker Cade York?
Veteran kicker Cade York will be the Bengals kicker for at least the next month after winning a tryout competition. York kicked in one game for the Washington Commanders this season, and it went poorly. He missed both field goal attempts in the season-opener vs. the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and was subsequently released in favor of Austin Seibert.
The Bengals are the seventh different franchise York has spent time with, but he’s only appeared in a game for two of them. In addition to the Commanders, York was the primary kicker for the Cleveland Browns in 2022, kicking in all 17 games after being drafted in the fourth round out of LSU.
However, York struggled as a rookie, hitting only 75% of his field goals while also missing a pair of extra points. York also struggled in the 2023 preseason, leading the Browns to trade for Dustin Hopkins and part ways with their kicker before his second season.
York did have a decorated college career in Baton Rouge. He was a Second Team All-American in 2020 and made Second Team All-SEC in all three seasons (2019-21). He’s the second-leading scorer in program history despite forgoing his senior season to enter the NFL Draft.