The Atlanta Falcons announced Saturday that longtime kicker Younghoe Koo has been ruled out for Sunday night’s matchup against the Minnesota Vikings. The decision comes just a week after Koo missed a crucial 44-yard attempt in the final seconds of the team’s loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Notably, his downgrade to “out” is not related to injury.
Falcons Bring In Parker Romo As Younghoe Koo Struggles With Costly Inconsistency
To fill the vacancy, the Falcons elevated Parker Romo from their practice squad. Romo, a Georgia native, previously kicked for the Minnesota Vikings last season and was signed by Atlanta earlier in the week. This marks another opportunity for Romo to prove himself in the NFL after stints with multiple teams and the XFL.
Younghoe Koo (NFL)Koo’s performance has declined significantly in recent months. Over his last nine games, he has made just 12 of 20 field goal attempts. The 31-year-old kicker also struggled in 2023, connecting on only 73.5% of his kicks, his lowest percentage since becoming Atlanta’s full-time kicker in 2019. His inconsistency has raised questions about his reliability in critical situations.
Falcons Turn To Romo As Koo’s Decline Reshapes Kicking Reliability Narrative
Once celebrated as one of the most accurate kickers in the NFL, Koo has fallen near the bottom of league rankings. Since the start of the 2024 season, among kickers with at least 20 attempts, Koo ranks 29th out of 31 with a 73% success rate. This marks a sharp decline from his earlier years, when he was considered one of the most dependable legs in the league.
In contrast, Parker Romo has shown promise in limited NFL action. Last season with the Vikings, he converted 11 of 12 field goal attempts. Before that, he impressed in the XFL, leading the league with an 89.5% success rate. Although recently released by the New England Patriots at the end of training camp, Romo now has an opportunity to showcase his consistency with his hometown Falcons.
