Oakland Raiders kicker Sebastian Janikowski was listed on Friday's injury report as questionable, but he is expected to handle his normal kicking duties on Sunday against the Miami Dolphins. Janikowski booted a franchise record six field goals in the Raiders Week 12 win over the Chicago Bears and came out of the game feeling fine. The team rested him for much of the week, but there is nothing otherwise to indicate he won't play like normal.
Janikowski has been dealing with a hamstring injury since the wee leading up to the Raiders October 23 game against Kansas City. He missed that game but was back after the bye, albeit in a rather limited role. The team would not let him kick 50+ field goals as seen when they opted to punt instead of kicking a 51-yard field goal. Since then, Seabass has not had 50+ opportunities, but he did drill four 40+ field goals last week against Chicago.
When healthy, Janikowski is arguably the best kicker in the league because of his combination of distance and accuracy. He gives the offense the advantage of knowing that if they get inside the opponent's 40-yard line, they are virtually guaranteed to get at least three points. Few kickers can offer that guarantee from so far out. Given the Raiders injury issues at the skill positions, Janikowski's leg is all the more important.
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