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History repeated itself (in a way) on Wednesday morning.
The Tennessee Titans placed former Kansas City Chiefs kicker Ryan Succop on injured reserve — and to replace him, the team has brought in... former Chiefs kicker Cairo Santos!
The news was originally reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Surprise opening-week injury: Titans are placing veteran kicker Ryan Succop on injured reserve and signing former Bucs’ kicker Cairo Santos, per source. Santos and former Bears’ K Cody Parkey both tried out for the job this week.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 4, 2019
During training camp in 2014, Santos, an undrafted free agent, beat out Succop to become the Chiefs’ placekicker. Succop had been in the job for five years running. Then, it was about going with the cheaper option. Wednesday morning — with Succop no longer able to go — it seemed to be more about finding a formidable kicker. Succop recently had offseason knee surgery on his kicking leg, and it appears he may have had a setback.
Santos kicked for the Chiefs for three seasons (2014-16) and then the team waived him with an injury designation during the 2017 season, bringing in Harrison Butker off the Carolina Panthers practice squad. Butker has been the Chiefs’ placekicker ever since, and the Chiefs signed Butker to a five-year contract extension this offseason.
After his time with the Chiefs, Santos has made his way around the league—with stints in Chicago, New York (Jets), Los Angeles (Rams), Tampa Bay and now Tennessee. Here is to hoping he sticks with the Titans.
The Chiefs visit Tennessee on November 10.