3 punters visit Patriots for free agent workouts

With starting punter Jake Bailey (right knee) on the injury report this week, the Patriots are doing their due diligence by working out free agent punters. The team has three players in Thursday for workouts.

Would the Patriots consider signing any of the three punters? They do have an open spot on the practice squad. Here’s a closer look at each player…

• Sterling Hofrichter

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  A seventh-round pick in 2020, Hofrichter won the Falcons' starting punter job in training camp. He averaged 42.5 yards per punt on 56 punts last year, and also handled kickoff duties for Atlanta. He was waived during final roster cuts this summer.

• Corliss Waitman

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  Waitman grew up in Belgium, and was a soccer player before switching to football at the age of 15. He's spent the last two offseasons with the Steelers and Raiders. The South Alabama product is left-footed.

• Nolan Cooney

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  From East Greenwich RI, Cooney overcame cancer in high school and went on to play collegiately for Syracuse, where he earned All-American honors. He went undrafted in the draft this past spring, but signed with the Saints and was cut at the end of training camp.

MORE: Patriots preparing to activate players off IR

Alex Barth is a writer and digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Looking for a podcast guest? Let him know on Twitter @RealAlexBarth or via email at abarth@985TheSportsHub.com.