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Cardinals will bring in punter for tryout

On the heels of General Manager Steve Keim saying the Cardinals would evaluate the punter position after a rough outing from Drew Butler Sunday, coach Bruce Arians said the team will bring in a punter for a tryout. He did not name who.

"You can't have guys kicking 28-yard kicks when you sit out there at practice, 50 (yards), 50 every day and then you get in a game (and struggle)," Arians said. "Drew brings a lot of other things but he's still got to kick the damn ball."

Butler had three punts Sunday. The first was 41 yards but was a line drive and returnable. The second was a good kick of 50 yards, but the third went the aforementioned 28 yards and allowed Washington to start a drive on the Cardinals' 48-yard line.

"Kicking is a funny game," Arians said. "And most of it is mental."

Butler has struggled much of the season. He dealt with a bad ankle injury earlier in the year, was released, and then brought back. In six games, he has averaged 41.3 yards a punt, with a net average of 35.4. Arians emphasized a tryout did not necessarily mean a change. Holding on Chandler Catanzaro is part of the job description.

"He can be a hell of a punter, if he doesn't hold, he ain't getting the job," Arians said.

Arizona Cardinals punter Drew Butler (2) in action during a game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday Nov. 20, 2016 in Minneapolis. The Vikings defeated the Cardinals 30-24. (Gene Lower via AP)
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