Report: Cowboys sign kicker Mike Nugent for Dan Bailey injury, release Damontre Moore

The Dallas Cowboys are going to be without the services of Dan Bailey (groin) for a while. While that’s a stark reality, the team must press on. They have reportedly signed a new kicker, Mike Nugent.

Mike Nugent has had quite a career in the NFL. Originally taken in the second round of the 2005 NFL Draft, Nugent has had stops with the New York Jets, Arizona Cardinals, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Cincinnati Bengals, and a brief stint with the Giants this preseason.

Nugent has an 80.8% accuracy score for his career. He’s a duct tape solution if there ever was one, and he’s capable of handling kickoffs which adds to his lure.

It’s worth noting that the Giants chose to roll with Aldrick Rosas over Nugent and that the Redskins chose Nick Rose over him recently (as noted on the Monday Night Football broadcast). He’s an option many have looked to, but not chosen.

Mike Nugent will take the roster spot previously held by Damontre Moore

There was a lot of discussion in the immediate aftermath of Bailey’s injury that the Cowboys could release Kellen Moore in order to make room for what ended up being Nugent.

Cooper Rush was active over Moore on Sunday, indicating that the Cowboys seem to now prefer the undrafted rookie to the veteran signal-caller. It was a Moore that was released, but it was defensive end Damontre not Kellen.

There was an air of mystery surrounding Damontre Moore since before the game in San Francisco kicked off. Dallas not only left Kellen Moore inactive that day, but Damontre Moore as well. It was perplexing to say the least.

Many figured this to be a vote of confidence in first-round rookie Taco Charlton. With Moore now being released in order to make room for a second kicker, it stands to reason that there must be something going on that influenced the Cowboys decision.