LA Chargers re-sign K Nick Novak, waive rookie Younghoe Koo

COSTA MESA, Calif. (AP) — The Los Angeles Chargers re-signed kicker Nick Novak on Thursday, waiving rookie Younghoe Koo after just four games.

Novak is a 13-year NFL veteran who has kicked for eight franchises, including the San Diego Chargers from 2011-14. He made 101 of his 117 field goal attempts for the Chargers before spending the past two seasons with Houston.

Novak was released by the Texans last month after losing a competition with Ka’imi Fairbairn, the former UCLA kicker, but the veteran wasn’t out of work long.

Novak played with Chargers long snapper Mike Windt during his first stint with the franchise in San Diego.

“Nick has been a very accurate kicker in this league for a long time, and he’s been here before,” said Anthony Lynn, the Chargers’ first-year head coach. “We’re familiar with him, and his experience in big games (was important). As you know, every game we’ve played so far has been a close game, and every play, every point matters.”

Koo was the Chargers’ third kicker in four seasons, and he became the fourth NFL player born in South Korea after winning the job in a camp competition with incumbent Josh Lambo. But the rookie went 3 for 6 on field goal attempts for Los Angeles before getting the quick hook.

The Georgia Southern product came up short in big situations in the Chargers’ first two games. His potential tying field goal was blocked in the Chargers’ season opener at Denver, and he missed two field goals in their 19-17 loss to Miami one week later, including a 44-yarder at the final gun.

Koo made both of his field goal attempts in the ensuing two weeks, but Lynn still made the move.

“Players have a bad day or a bad game every once in a while,” Lynn said. “But watching him over the last couple weeks, pregame, in practice, I’ve seen enough. It was time to bring in someone with a little more consistency, and someone with more experience.”

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