New Bengals kicker Cade York couldn't have scripted it any better in a bid to revive his career in place of the injured Evan McPherson.
Except if it was against the Browns, but that comes in two weeks.
York returns to the city where he lives for his first game in stripes when the Bengals play in Dallas Monday night (8:15-Cincinnati's Channel 9, ESPN) as he tries to extend his unbeaten streak with quarterback Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase to 16.
"Maybe I'll have someone pack a bag for me to bring back so I'll have some more clothes," York said before Friday's practice.
York, a freshman when Burrow and Chase led LSU to the national title, won Tuesday's workout at Paycor Stadium directed by special teams coordinator Darrin Simmons. In his fifth tryout since Washington cut him after he missed two kicks in the opener, York showed the same leg that impressed Simmons when he ran the kicking portion of the NFL's 2022 scouting combine.
"Power. He's got great leg strength. The ball pops off his foot," Simmons said. "He has to be a more consistent ball striker. Just get him to get it in the right direction. He's got an opportunity here to put his career back on track."
York, 23, had the best moment of his career in his first game after Cleveland made him a fourth-round pick in 2022. He hit all four field-goal tries, including a 58-yarder with eight seconds left to beat the Panthers. He went 20-of-28 the rest of the season before the Browns cut him the week before the 2023 opener, and he didn't appear in the league again until the 2024 opener.
"I had some really great moments and the next preseason I did well in practice and training camp," York said. "I missed some kicks by a hair in the preseason and they cut me. That sucked, but it's a business."
York made the AFC East tour this year after missing right from 47 and 56 yards in the opener with the Commanders and going to tryouts with the Bills, Patriots and two with the Jets before hooking on here for the final five games.
"It was frustrating. I kicked really well at most of them," York said of the tryouts. "It was confusing at times, but I would never say discouraging."
After never losing a game with Burrow and Chase, York says he's "looking to keep that going," He also says it's nice to be in one place after never being able to fully unpack his suitcase. He had time to grab only deodorant, toothpaste and a few clothes when he got the call from the Bengals late Monday morning.
"The essentials," York said.
He's hoping Simmons can supply some other fundamentals.
"He's been here a long time, seen a lot of guys. I might pick up something while I'm here," York said. "Go kick some balls."
Simmons has been here before.
Try 2012, when then Bengals had to go 7-1 to make the playoffs. In the middle of that run they lost kicker Mike Nugent with four games left.
They turned to a ten-year vet in Josh Brown, and he hit 13-of-14, including two of two in the Wild Card Game in Houston. His 43-yarder with four seconds left in Pittsburgh gave the Bengals a 13-10 win that put them in the playoffs.
Then, as now, the Bengals are set once their kicker comes back from injury. When Nugent came back in 2013, Brown hooked on with the Giants. The one thing York knows is he won't be back next year.
"Very similar situation except Josh was a veteran," Simmons said. "But it's still a great opportunity to get on the right track."
SLANTS AND SCREENS
It looks more and more like left tackle Orlando Brown Jr., (fibula) won't play in Dallas. He didn't practice again Friday, and on Thursday Burrow recalled how he met Brown shortly after he agreed to terms in 2022 free agency.
"He's been as advertised. He was having the best stretch of his career earlier this year, lights out," Burrow said. "He's dealt with some injuries and was fighting through it last week. He doesn't get enough credit for what he does in the locker room. He's a great leader. We are lucky to have him. Hopefully I get to play with him for a lot longer." …
Brown clearly wasn't 100% last Sunday, but he also knew it was the biggest game of the season.
"You know he wants to be out there. He wants to be out there with the guys. He's going to do everything he can to go out and play," Burrow said. "Sometimes as a player you have to take that decision out of their hands. I've been through that before. The fact he wanted to be out there and give his all says everything and more about him." …
A day after linebacker Logan Wilson (knee) had a surgical cleanout, the Bengals put him on injured reserve …
Chase (ankle) went full Friday after being limited Thursday and said it was "smooth," for Monday …
Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (shoulder) said he was playing Monday and went limited Friday …
Wide receiver Tee Higgins went limited for a second straight day Friday with no injury designation as the Bengals continue to ease him through December after missing five games in September and October with hamstring and quad issues …
Wide receiver/punt returner Charlies Jones (groin), who hasn't played since Oct. 27, went limited the last two days …
Defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins hasn't practiced since coming down with an illness before the Nov. 17 game in Los Angeles …
