Will Reichard kicked off the 2024 NFL season in amazing fashion for the Minnesota Vikings. The rookie kicker showed off amazing accuracy and great leg strength until an injury sidelined him foe four weeks.
Upon his return, Vikings fans hoped he would return to his early-season form. However, his performance in Week 17 against the Green Bay Packers left a lot to be desired and his miscues helped the opposition stay in the game.
Will Reichard missed two field goals against the Packers on Sunday and had a kickoff that didn't end up in the landing zone, resulting in a penalty. Those mistakes stood out in Minnesota's win on Sunday afternoon.
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Reichard's missed field goal attempts were not simple kicks by any means. One came from 57 yards out, while the other was 43 yards out. Both kicks were close, hitting off the upright and bouncing out of the goal.
While talking to the press in a video shared on the official YouTube channel of the Minnesota Vikings, special teams coach Matt Daniels addressed the misses from Sunday's game against the Packers and reassured fans that it isn't related to his previous injury.
"Will Reichard is not injured. He’s perfectly fine. There’s no excuses there in terms of an injury being a reason why he missed that field goal [or why he] missed a 57-yarder or anything like that. He’s perfectly fine and healthy."Matt Daniels, special teams coach
The Minnesota Vikings will need to have Will Reichard on top of his game on Sunday Night Football in Week 18. The showdown against the Detroit Lions not only has the NFC North crown on the line, but the winner will also be the top seed in the NFC side of the playoffs, earning a bye in the Wild Card round and home-field advantage throughout.
Overall, Reichard is having an outstanding season as a rookie kicker. He has connected on every extra-point try this season and has only missed one kick inside 40 yards while making seven kicks from 50 yards or farther.
It is good to know there are no lingering effects from Will Reichard's quad injury. The 14-2 Minnesota Vikings could need to rely on his leg in Sunday night's matchup against the Lions which will have a huge impact on the playoffs this season.