Cowboys sign kicker to practice team after Maher crisis

FRISCO, TX (AP) — On Wednesday, the Dallas Cowboys signed kicker Tristan Vizcaino to the practice team, adding an option in case Brett Maher’s debacle drags on this week.

Maher missed his first four extra points in a 31–14 win over Tampa Bay, the NFL’s first in the regular season or playoffs. He finished fifth, ending a streak of five straight PAT failures since the regular season finale against Washington.

Owner/general manager Jerry Jones, coach Mike McCarthy and special teams coach Jon Fassel supported Maher throughout the week, saying they expected him to perform Sunday night in the division game in San Francisco.

Jones was less blunt on his Tuesday radio show. He said the club would see how the week went. A move to Vizcaino could be made if Maher’s struggle continues in practice.

The only full workout of the week is Thursday, but Fassel said there would be no change to Maher’s routine. Fassel said Maher kicks on Thursdays and Fridays during a typical week.

Vizcaino, who spent part of the 2020 offseason with Dallas, scored both field goals and all three extra points in Week 10 with Arizona. After that, the 26-year-old was in New England but didn’t try to kick.

In 2021, Vizcaino was just 10-of-15 on extra points with the Los Angeles Chargers before being demoted in October. He spent the rest of the season with the Los Angeles practice team.

Maher was in the top 10 in field goal percentage during the regular season, shooting 29-of-32 (91%). Before the playoffs, he was 50 out of 53 on the PAT.