PHX Reporter

Midway through the second quarter of a recent game, punter Blake Gillikin executed a 63-yard kick, equaling his longest punt of the season. However, during the play, he stepped on Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas and injured his ankle. This incident required kicker Chad Ryland to step into an emergency punting role.

Ryland had been signed by the Cardinals in October to replace the injured Matt Prater. Reflecting on his unexpected role, Ryland said, "We're around the specialists all day. I see Blake do it all the time, so just tried to find a way to give the guys a chance to go cover and give the team better field position."

This was Ryland's first time punting in almost four years; his last appearance as a punter was on December 12, 2020, for Eastern Michigan against Northern Illinois. In this game for the Cardinals, Ryland managed punts of 36, 44, and 37 yards despite their eventual defeat with a score of 30-18.

While practicing punting on the sidelines between drives, Gillikin provided support and guidance to Ryland. "The guys were all super positive, so that's always good," noted Ryland.

Chad Ryland's second year in professional football has been far from typical. After being selected by the Patriots in the fourth round of the 2023 draft but not making their roster at season start, he joined the Cardinals before their Week 5 game against San Francisco. He made an immediate impact with several game-winning field goals in October and earned recognition as NFC Special Teams Player of the Month.

However, following their bye week, both Ryland and his team have faced challenges. Despite successfully kicking five field goals against Minnesota recently, he has missed at least one field goal in each of three consecutive games since then.

Reflecting on these performances postgame while standing at his locker room stall after Sunday's loss—a setback that leaves only four games remaining for Arizona—Ryland admitted disappointment: "I just haven't striked it as clean as I should have... If we want to have a chance to win games I got to knock those kicks down especially in forties like that there's no excuse for that."

Despite frustrations from missed opportunities contributing towards another difficult outcome overall though now facing adversity ahead still remaining optimistic regarding future prospects collectively stating: "I can only speak myself but think it's really good group guys here who work hard wanting win."