Browns and Bengals have issues facing their placekickers

If you need more evidence detailing just how versatile Mohamed Sanu is, how about this?

Bengals placekicker Mike Nugent lost his father on Monday Night, who suddenly passed away [Speaking of which, condolences from CJ to Nugent and his family]. The Bengals excused Nugent's time away from the team, allowing him to miss practice and saving a place for him for Sunday's game (i.e, not doing a Brad Childress). However, according to one report, Nugent, who is listed as probable for Sunday's game against the Browns, got some work in after one practice... emotional week, practice field to yourself... we all have our escapes.

Wide receiver Mohamed Sanu stood in for Nugent this week, per the mothership.

On Wednesday he was four out of five kicking field goals from as far away as 45 yards and on Thursday he said he hit the upright three times.

Sanu has 116 receptions for his career, with 1,363 yards receiving and 11 receiving touchdowns. Sanu also has 82 yards rushing on 16 carries and is five-for-five passing with 177 yards passing and two touchdowns.

It's insane how versatile Sanu is.

As for Cleveland, the Browns released Billy Cundiff on Saturday and signed Garrett Hartley.

Cundiff reportedly hurt his knee during practice on Thursday and missed Friday's session as well. However, the veteran kicker was inching closer towards the door anyway.

Cundiff, who's 22-of-29 this season, was challenged by Pettine to elevate his game. He's missed field goals of 37 and 40 yards in the past two weeks that could have extended leads to 10 points.

He spoke to the media Friday, but referred all medical questions to the coaching staff.

"I take great pride in my competitiveness I really do," Cundiff said. "I feel like that's what's helped me throughout my time in the league but when it comes to hypotheticals, I think we'll leave that to the head coach."

The Browns had actually worked out Hartley, Nate Freese and Zach Hocker on Wednesday due to Cundiff's struggles. Browns head coach Mike Pettine, after those three worked out, told the media that Cundiff was their guy this weekend. Per ESPN;s Pat McManamon, Cundiff "had the best workout he had all season. Next day, knee injury".

Talk about god-like coincidences... or Pettine "accidently misplacing his tire iron".

Hartley was released by the Saints last December after the kicker converted 22 of 30 attempts.