Did the Cowboys sign a new kicker? Everything we know about Tristan Vizcaino so far

Yes, the Dallas Cowboys signed a new kicker. The Cowboys just signed former New England Patriots placekicker Tristan Vizcaino to their practice squad as competition for Brett Maher.

Maher is the Cowboys' starting placekicker, but he has received a lot of stick for the past game. The reason was due to the 33-year-old having a nightmarishly bad game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He even broke an unwanted record as the veteran kicker missed four consecutive extra-point conversions.

Those misses could have proved costly in a more competitive game, but luckily for the Cowboys, the Bucs didn't just come to the party. It's shocking, as Maher was just in the middle of the most successful season of his NFL career, only to have it all come crashing down. Such is the nature of the NFL, as the league operates on the slimmest of margins.

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What does Tristan Vizcaino bring to the team?

Tristan Vizcaino adds only a little to the Dallas Cowboys rather than being an extra body in the placekicker room. The signing of Vizcaino indicates to Maher that he could be dropped at any time, especially if he keeps missing pivotal playoff plays. Vizcaino is yet to show what he's made of, as most of his young NFL career has been spent on practice squads.

However, the name of this game is an opportunity, and Tristan Vizcaino just had a crucial one thrust upon him. If he snags this opportunity, he might play some part in the 2023 playoffs, but if not, there is still hope.

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How has Tristan Vizcaino performed this season?

Tristan Vizcaino has spent the 2022 NFL regular season playing on the practice squad of the New England Patriots. He has appeared in two Matchday squads for the Pats but hasn't played in any of these games.

However, for Vizcaino's career, the Washington University alum has a splendid stat line. Vizcaino has put up a stat line of nine field goals made out of ten attempts. That makes for a 90% conversion rate and a career-high field goal range of 47 yards.

Vizcaino will need to improve if he wants to join the upper echelon of placekickers, but he has to start from somewhere. That start could be usurping Brett Maher from his seat as the Cowboys' starting placekicker, and his time has started.