Indianapolis Colts make decision on kicking competition involving Rodrigo Blankenship

For the second straight year, former Georgia star kicker and fan favorite Rodrigo Blankenship has won the kicking competition with the Indianapolis Colts.

Last year, Blankenship beat out Chase McLaughlin, who was its kicker at the end of the previous season, in favor of the undrafted rookie free agent Blankenship. This time, the Colts released Eddy Pineiro, a 5-foot-11, 190 pounder, who was signed by the Colts in May. NFL teams have to cut 5 more players off their roster on Tuesday before a 4 p.m. deadline.

Both Pineiro and Blankenship converted all their preseason kicks.

Last year, Blankenship was 32-for-37 on kicks last season. Of his 5 kicks missed, 4 of them were from more than 40 yards out in his rookie season. For perspective, his 139 points in 2020 were 7th all-time in NFL history among rookies.

Colts are waiving kicker Eddy Pineiro, per source, meaning Rodrigo Blankenship wins Indy’s kicking job. Pineiro did not miss a kick this preseason and could draw interest on waivers with some teams struggling at kicker right now.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 24, 2021

Keith Farner

A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.