Parker Romo steps in as Falcons’ kicker against former team
A familiar face will be on the field for the Atlanta Falcons this Sunday night as Parker Romo prepares to kick against his former team, the Minnesota Vikings, at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Romo, who was elevated from the practice squad, takes the place of Younghoe Koo, who has been ruled out for this matchup due to non-injury-related reasons. Koo’s absence follows a missed opportunity to tie the game with a field goal in Week 1, prompting the Falcons to make a change ahead of this critical contest.
Romo’s Journey to the Falcons
At 28 years old, Romo’s path to the NFL has been anything but conventional. Undrafted from Virginia Tech in 2022, he has navigated a winding road that included stints on various team rosters and a spring season in the XFL. Last year, he found himself filling in for Will Reichard as the Vikings’ kicker during a four-game stretch when Reichard suffered a quad injury.
During that time, Romo showcased his reliability, converting 11 of 12 field goals and 7 of 8 extra points, and helping the Vikings to a perfect 4-0 record in those games. However, once Reichard returned from injured reserve, Romo was waived and subsequently signed to the New England Patriots’ practice squad.
A Unique Primetime Showdown
Now, with Koo sidelined, Romo has a chance to demonstrate his talents once more, this time donning the Falcons’ colors against the team that once gave him his first NFL opportunity. As kickers, both Romo and Reichard have shared a unique bond, having previously been teammates in Minnesota.
The reasons behind Koo’s demotion remain unclear; whether it involves personal matters or simply a strategic decision by the Falcons is yet to be disclosed. Regardless, the spotlight will be on Romo as he attempts to make an impact in this primetime showdown.
As the Falcons and Vikings face off, all eyes will be on Romo, hoping he can capitalize on this unexpected opportunity and contribute to his new team’s success.
