Incumbent Dustin Hopkins’ problems had become too big to ignore. Hopkins missed two field goals in Week 14 and has missed at least one field-goal attempt in four of his last five games. On the season Hopkins is just 16-of-25. Hopkins is still on the roster and has no injury that we’ve heard of, but it wouldn’t be a surprise if one of those things changed in the near future.

The Jets inked Patterson and K Spencer Shrader to the team’s practice squad. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero said one of the two kickers will start for New York Thursday night against the Texans while Greg Zuerlein — who has missed six of his 15 field goal attempts this season — deals with a sudden knee injury. A good showing from Patterson or Shrader could spell the end for Zuerlein’s run in New York.

The release of Patterson comes shortly after the Commanders traded for former Browns kicker Cade York. In the two games he played, Patterson struggled in camp and the preseason, converting on just 2-of-5 field goal attempts. Since joining the Lions in May of last season, Patterson has bounced around four different teams. He’ll likely catch on with another kicker-needy team at some point in the season.