Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Carpenter Bills' kicker at least one more week

BY NICK ST. DENIS

The Buffalo Bills signed veteran kicker Dan Carpenter to fill in for the injured sixth-round rookie Dustin Hopkins, and since, Carpenter has made a good case for a longer-term stay.

Carpenter has made his last 10 kicks after missing his very first attempt as a Bill. He'll get an opportunity Thursday night to add to that streak, as Bills coach Doug Marrone said Tuesday Hopkins still isn't ready to see the field.

“I think we’re still working on the kickoff part of it,” Marrone said, via BuffaloBills.com. ”We’re still a little bit day to day with that. As far as PATs and field goals I don’t think there’s a problem.”

The problem, however, will be deciding what to do once Hopkins is healthy.

"As soon as Dustin Hopkins is ready to go, there has to be a decision made," Marrone said. "Whether we keep two on a roster spot or we don’t."

The Bills will be inclined to give Hopkins every opportunity given they used a draft pick on him, especially if they consider him a long-term option. However, if Carpenter continues to stay hot, they'll have a hard time taking him out from a pure football standpoint.

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