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Jaguars release former UCF kicker Matthew Wright

john reid, florida times-union
·2 min read
Jacksonville Jaguars place kicker Matthew Wright (15) watches his second quarter field goal go through the uprights to put the Jaguars on the scoreboard for the first time in the game. The Jacksonville Jaguars hosted the San Francisco 49ers Friday, November 21, 2021 at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, Florida. The Jaguars went into the half trailing 20 to 3. [Bob Self/Florida Times-Union]

Former UCF kicker Matthew Wright, who beat Josh Lambo for the starting placekicker job last season, was released by the Jacksonville Jaguars on Wednesday.

Wright's highlight game last season was when he made a last-second 53-yard field goal that clinched Jaguars' 23-20 victory against the Miami Dolphins in London that snapped their 20 consecutive game losing streak, the second-longest in franchise history.

For his efforts in the game that included making three field goals, Wright was named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week by the NFL. Before Week 6 game, the Jaguars were the only team in the NFL without making a field goal, going 0-of-5, after the first five games.

Wright's release was prompted the Jaguars to make room on the roster after claiming offensive lineman Wes Martin off waivers from the New York Giants and defensive end/outside linebacker Rashod Berry was claimed from the Detroit Lions.

Fallout from 2021 lingers: Kicker Josh Lambo sues Jacksonville Jaguars for emotional distress

Hero effort: Jaguars end 20-game losing streak on Matthew Wright's 53-yard field goal

The only kicker on the Jaguars' existing roster now is Ryan Santoso, who was signed on March 21. Santoso has played briefly since 2019 with three teams - Carolina, Detroit and Tennessee - totaling seven games and making two of three field goal attempts.

The Jaguars have been in the news lately regarding kickers for all the wrong reasons. Lambo filed a lawsuit against the franchise Tuesday, claiming his performance suffered last season as a result of being kicked and verbally abused by former head coach Urban Meyer .

Lambo is seeking his $3.5 million salary in 2021 and damages for emotional distress, according to the Tampa Bay Times. Lambo's lawsuit was filed on Tuesday in the 4th Judicial Circuit Court in Duval County.

In December, Lambo said he was kicked by Meyer during a practice after he missed a pair of preseason field goal attempts.

Lambo was released by the Jaguars in October after Wright sealed his spot on the roster when he made the game-clinching field goal against the Dolphins. In 14 games, Wright made 21 of 24 field goals, including 4-of-6 from 50 or more yards.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jaguars release former UCF kicker Matthew Wright