Stephen Gostkowski placed on Injured Reserve list, could miss rest of season

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski has been placed on injured reserve and reports indicate he's facing season-ending hip surgery.

Related: Patriots place James Develin on Injured Reserve List

Bill Belichick was coy in his responses to questions about Gostkowski Wednesday morning, before news of the roster move was announced. When asked if he felt the need to give Gostkowski some competition in the kicking game, Belichick said, "I don't really think any of that's related to competition, no."

Gostkowski has struggled with extra points, missing four this season.

ESPN's Adam Schefter also reported that Gostkowski's injury is a left hip ailment that will require surgery, ending his 2019 season. The report also mentioned that Gostkowski would be ready to return by the start of the 2020 season.

Schefter went on to report that New England is working out a pair of kickers to fill the vacancy left by Gostkowski. Those candidates are Kai Forbath and Mike Nugent, per Schefter.

>>>MORE: Patriots place tackle Isaiah Wynn on injured reserve

Gostkowski joins an slew of players already placed on IR by the Patriots this season. LT Isaiah Wynn, WR N'Keal Harry, FB James Devlin and C David Andrews have all been placed on injured reserve before Gostkowski's designation on Wednesday.

Per NFL rules, only two of those players from IR can return to the active roster in the 2019 season.

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