Bills rookie punter Matt Araiza held out of preseason recreation amid rape accusation.

Buffalo Bills rookie Matt Araiza, who gained the beginning punter job earlier this week, didn’t play in Friday’s preseason recreation against the Carolina Panthers amid a rape accusation. Araiza was held out sooner or later after he was named in a civil lawsuit alleging involvement in the gang-rapes of minor final 12 months at an off-campus get-together while attending San Diego State University. 

Bills rookie punter Matt Araiza held out of preseason recreation amid rape accusation.

Despite touring with the Bills and arriving at the stadium, he didn’t punt. Araiza, 22, is recognized by soccer followers because the “Punt God” gained the Bills’ beginning punter job on Monday after Buffalo launched veteran Matt Haack.  The Bills have chosen Araiza within the sixth spherical of the 2022 draft. With Haack out and Araiza sidelined, the Bills don’t have one other punter on their roster.

Punt duties Friday evening fell to backup quarterback Matt Barkley. The USC product’s first punt vs. the Panthers travelled 33 yards. Barkley dealt with punting duties throughout the sport, averaging 40 yards per punt on 4 punts. He had an extension of 53 yards.