The Pittsburgh Steelers released backup kicker Nick Sciba from their practice squad on Tuesday, signaling that Chris Boswell will be ready to return from his groin injury this Sunday against the New Orleans Saints.
Boswell suffered the injury in the week of practice leading up to the Steelers’ Week 8 game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Sciba was added to the practice squad on Friday just before the team traveled to Philadelphia and was a game-day elevation from the practice squad. He made both field goals and one extra point in his NFL debut, performing admirably in the difficult circumstance.
“It’s just all about having the mindset and just having to trust the process,” Sciba said. “Even if one doesn’t work out, it might open a door for another and just having the faith that, sooner or later, you’re going to stick somewhere.”
Head coach Mike Tomlin listed Boswell as a player that is expected to return to practice this week in his press conference on Tuesday, and Sciba’s release seems to indicate that Boswell is indeed expected to return to the lineup.
Boswell has been one of the top kickers in the NFL for several seasons now, and signed a contract extension this offseason to make him the second-highest paid kicker in the league, behind one Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker.
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This season, Boswell has made 12 of 16 field goals (75%), which is well off his career pace of 87.4%. He has hit all nine extra point attempts.
To fill Sciba’s spot on the practice squad, the Steelers re-signed wide receiver Josh Malone, who was released to make room for him.