No explanations on why Patriots kicker Justin Rohrwasser isn’t kicking

FOXBORO – It was about 20 minutes before practice started and rookie kicker Justin Rohrwasser was already on the field. This isn’t unusual as he’s typically been one of the first players on the practice field each day this week in training camp.

In this moment, however, Rohrwasser was practicing field goals. You could see him connect from around 30 yards. Then he brought the ball back another five yards and made another kick. He stopped when his other teammates [...]

FOXBORO – It was about 20 minutes before practice started and rookie kicker Justin Rohrwasser was already on the field. This isn’t unusual as he’s typically been one of the first players on the practice field each day this week in training camp.

In this moment, however, Rohrwasser was practicing field goals. You could see him connect from around 30 yards. Then he brought the ball back another five yards and made another kick. He stopped when his other teammates filtered onto the practice field.

Typically, a kicker practicing kicks isn’t. However, one of the stranger developments this week in camp has been Rohrwasser not kicking. The fifth-round pick kicked on Monday, the first day of padded practice, and went 3-for-5 from around 40-50 yards. In the next four practices, we didn’t see Rohrwasser attempt a single kick when practice started.

On Friday, for example, the rookie spent most of practice on a stationary bike.

When asked about Rohrwasser’s progress on Friday morning, Bill Belichick just said, "Everybody’s making progress. Everybody’s making progress."

It’s unknown if the rookie from Marshall, who also spent two years at Rhode Island, is dealing with an injury. When asked about his development and the decision for him not to kick in practice, Patriots special teams coach Cam Achord talked in generalities.

"I think it’s much of the same as any decision," Achord said. "All the young guys, all the rookies are working hard. It’s the same if you look at any guy. You look at what they do on a daily basis, how they’re faring each day. That’s the main thing. You’re taking it day-by-day and seeing what they’re doing on a daily basis. Are they improving or are they not? We’re just taking it one day at a time and helping all the rookies like (Rohrwasser) and the entire group. They’re just working hard to get better every day grinding."

mdaniels@providencejournal.com

On Twitter: @MarkDanielsPJ