National Football League

Rayner latest to join Cowboys' kicking competition

Published Aug. 30, 2011 10:20 p.m. ET

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Dave Rayner has joined the congested kicking competition with the Dallas Cowboys.

Rayner arrived Tuesday, a day after being cut by the Detroit Lions. He joins a mix that includes incumbent David Buehler, recent arrival Shayne Graham and undrafted rookie Dan Bailey.

A fifth candidate is another undrafted rookie, Kai Forbath. He went on the non-football injury list Tuesday, along with rookie linebacker Bruce Carter.

Rayner said he came to Dallas because he believes he'll get an honest shot at making the team.

''If they had the guy that they wanted already here, they wouldn't have brought me in. That's kind of what I went with,'' said Rayner, who made 13 of 16 field goals for Detroit last season. ''I talked to them yesterday and they were pretty excited about me coming in and trying to win a job.''

Dallas coach Jason Garrett wouldn't say how the kicking duties would be spread around in the preseason finale Thursday night against Miami.

Garrett did say the Cowboys kept close watch on the Lions' kicking competition for the chance he may become available. Detroit decided to drop him once coaches were convinced that 41-year-old Jason Hanson is recovered from a knee injury that sidelined him last season.

''He's a guy that we liked coming out of school and we liked what he's done in the league, so when he became available we thought it was worthwhile for us to bring him in,'' Garrett said.

The 28-year-old Rayner is grateful to get another opportunity. He's kicked for six teams in his five-year career, making 73.3 percent of his field-goal attempts.

''To be wanted at another team right away means you did something right at the other place,'' Rayner said. ''I'm going to try to get my bearings real quick and do what they ask me to do.''

Notes: Backup quarterback Jon Kitna missed his second consecutive day of practice. His availability for Thursday's preseason finale is uncertain. . With most of the starters sitting against Miami, Garrett wants to get a good look at quarterbacks Stephen McGee and Tom Brandstater. McGee will be the starter.