The New England Patriots have released kicker Nick Folk to make room for Kai Forbath according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Media.

Folk had to undergo an emergency appendectomy on Thursday and the thinking was the team would release someone else to make room for Forbath. Now the big question is will the team bring back Folk once he is healthy enough to play again.

Patriots coach Bill Belichick was asked if the team would bring Folk back and that isn't something he would commit to.

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“Well right now, we’ll go down and play Houston. Try to go down and beat Houston. That’s the intention right now. That’s our goal,” Belichick said when asked if the team intends to re-sign Folk via CBS Boston. “We’ll worry about next week next week.”

Folk was signed by the Patriots before their game against the Baltimore Ravens, replacing Mike Nugent after he missed two field goals against the Cleveland Browns . Nugent was initially signed to replace longtime Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski who was lost for the season with a hip injury.

Forbath is a veteran kicker who has played in 77 career games. Last season he played three games with the Jacksonville Jaguars and that was his last job. During his career he has gone 120-for-140 on field goal attempts and 172-for-183 on extra points.

Forbath now has a chance to prove that he can be the answer for the rest of the season at kicker for the Patriots. The Patriots' next game is on Sunday night football against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.