Monday, Las Vegas Raiders coach Pete Carroll said the team could add a punter this week and Tuesday they made such a move by signing Brad Robbins to the practice squad.
Robbins is needed because star Raiders’ punter A.J. Cole suffered a low-ankle sprain in Sunday’s 40-6 loss at the Indianapolis Colts when he was injured on a blocked punt.
A low-ankle sprain is a better outcome than a high-ankle sprain. Carroll said Cole will try to kick Friday in an attempt to play Sunday. If Cole can’t play Sunday when the Raiders host the Tennessee Titans at Allegiant Stadium (kickoff is set for 1:05 p.m. PT), Robbins will be elevated from the practice squad to punt in the league.
Robbins, 27, punted for Cincinnati Bengals in 2023 and was cut by the Buffalo Bills after Week 1 this season. He has a 44.1 yards per punt average in his career and he averaged 39.5 yards per punt on four punts with the Bills. Cole is averaging 51.2 yards per punt this season, which is the fifth in the game.
The Raiders, according to NFL reporter Aaron Wilson, also worked out punter Ryan Stonehouse on Tuesday along with Robbins before choosing to sign Robbins.