Chargers punter JK Scott has had a slow start to the season after having a career year in 2023.
On Thursday evening, NFL insider Aaron Wilson reported that the Chargers worked out free agent punter Michael Palardy. The 32-year old was most recent with the Commanders where he spent a three-day stint on the practice squad. In 2022, he spent eight games with the Patriots where he averaged 42.4 yards per punt.
Originally an undrafted free agent of the Raiders, Palardy finally caught on with the Panthers where he played from 2016-2019. He has a career average of 44.9 yards per punt.
#Chargers worked out Michael Palardy
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) September 19, 2024
After two weeks, Chargers starting punter JK Scott has been fairly inconsistent. His 36.0 net yards per punt are the second-lowest in the NFL behind only Johnny Hekker of the Panthers. His three touchbacks are already a third of the way to his career high (nine) in a season with 15 more games to go.
Scott set career highs in both gross (46.2) and net yards (42.2) per punt a season ago but it looks like his early performance this season has the Chargers getting proactive about potentially finding a new punter if they feel as if his play is too detrimental to the team.