Falcons release Koo, promote Romo to starter after 5-for-5 vs Vikings

The Atlanta Falcons released longtime kicker Younghoe Koo on Friday and promoted John Parker Romo from the practice squad to the 53-man roster, naming Romo the team’s new starter after the kicker went 5-for-5 on field goals in Sunday’s 22-6 victory over the Minnesota Vikings. The move comes two weeks into the season after Koo missed a potential game-tying 44-yard attempt in the opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Falcons coach Raheem Morris confirmed Romo would handle kicking duties going forward after the team signed him to the active roster. The club announced Koo’s release and Romo’s promotion ahead of Atlanta’s next game against the Carolina Panthers. Reports said Romo’s deal is for two years. Romo had been elevated from the practice squad for the Vikings game, making all five attempts including a 54-yard field goal.

Koo had been one of the NFL’s most reliable kickers since joining Atlanta in 2019, converting at roughly a 90 percent clip through the 2019 to 2023 seasons and earning Pro Bowl honors. His accuracy declined last year, when he made 73.5 percent of his field-goal attempts while dealing with a hip injury that landed him on injured reserve. He also missed three...