It seems obvious at this point the Cincinnati Bengals will make a change at punter during the bye this week.
Buy Bengals TicketsLongtime veteran Kevin Huber has been off to one of the worst starts to his career over the 5-4 opening stretch for the team. That, after initially winning the job this past summer over Drue Chrisman.
Huber sits 30th in gross average punt yards and net average punt yards. He’s landed just nine inside the 20-yard line (24th). All are largely dramatic dips from his career averages.
Special teams coordinator Darrin Simmons told Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic that the unit needs to be better:
#Bengals STC Darrin Simmons on potential punter change of Kevin Huber to Drue Chrisman:
"Punting game has to improve. It's been building for some time."
Says Chrisman's punted well in practice and something to try to figure out over bye.
"Have to do what's right for team."
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) November 7, 2022
Translation: The team will make the evaluation this week and the likely change in time before practices start next week.
It could signal an unfortunate end to Huber’s time with the team given his incredible run. But as Simmons says, the unit has to do what it can to help the team, especially at 5-4 and 0-3 in the AFC North with a tough winter stretch in front of it.