Ravens left without a kicker six days before Monday night game after Moody signs with Atlanta

The Baltimore Ravens face a shortage at the kicker position with only six days remaining before they host the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday Night Football. The team lost Jake Moody to the Atlanta Falcons on Tuesday, leaving them without a confirmed specialist for the game scheduled for 8:15 p.m. ET at M&T Bank Stadium.

Moody signed with Atlanta to fill a spot on the 53-man roster, a move that prompted the Falcons to release veteran Nick Folk. NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported the transaction, which was confirmed by Pro Football Rumors and Baltimore Beatdown. As of Tuesday afternoon, Baltimore had not announced a replacement for the 26-year-old former 49ers draftee.

Practice squad rules allow players to sign with another team's active roster at any time. Pro Football Rumors noted that Baltimore had an open spot and could have promoted Moody, but The Athletic's Jeff Zrebiec reported that Moody preferred to join Atlanta. Moody had been with the Ravens on the practice squad and was elevated for the Week 9 game against Jacksonville, where he made his only field goal attempt in a 33-10 loss.

The need for a new kicker follows the placement of Tyler Loop on injured reserve on Nov. 3. The 24-year-old suffered a right groin injury and is out for at least four games, meaning he will miss the contest against the Chargers. Loop had made 13 of 17 field goal attempts through eight games this season, a drop from his 30 of 34 performance as a rookie. In the 36-10 loss at Buffalo on Nov. 1, he hit the upright on a 34-yard try before making a 26-yarder.

Ravens Wire cited Matt Prater, Younghoe Koo, and Graham Gano as possible veterans who could step in. Teams typically hold tryouts early in the week, so a decision on the kicker could come before the Monday night kickoff. The team is also dealing with injuries at quarterback, as Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley were placed on injured reserve last week with thumb and toe injuries, respectively.

Head coach Jesse Minter said last week that a final answer on Jackson's timeline was still pending. “I think it’ll be at some point here that we know that for a final sure,” Minter said via BaltimoreRavens.com. The Ravens are 4-5 on the season and have lost four straight games, scoring only 10 points in each of their last two outings.

The Falcons' acquisition of Moody addresses their own kicking issues, as Nick Folk, 42, had converted 13 of 18 field goal attempts this season. That included one of four attempts from 50 yards or longer. Baltimore enters the game with eight regular-season contests remaining, and a win would end their current losing streak.