Jets sign kicker Randy Bullock, place Nick Folk on IR

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RICH CIMINI via <a href="http://espn.go.com/" title="ESPN" class="espn_sc_byline">ESPN </a>
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November 10, 2015, 4:07 PM ET
3 min read

— -- FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- To replace Nick Folk, who was put on season-ending injured reserve Tuesday, the New York Jets signed former Houston Texans kicker Randy Bullock.

Bullock, 25, practiced Tuesday with the Jets. He emerged after a four-player audition Monday that consisted of Garrett Hartley, Billy Cundiff and Kyle Brindza.

Jets coach Todd Bowles said the decision to place Folk on IR was made because the kicker might need eight weeks to recover.

Bullock was a fifth-round draft pick of the Texans in 2012, when Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan was a Texans scouting executive.

Houston cut Bullock after he missed two extra-point attempts the first three games of this season. In fact, he became the first kicker to miss a PAT from the new distance of 33 yards. He was replaced by Nick Novak.

In three seasons, Bullock has made 61 of 76 field goals (80.3 percent). He missed his rookie year because of a groin tear.

Folk was injured during warm-ups Sunday. He said he felt "a little pop" in his kicking leg. He went to the locker room for treatment but wasn't able to do any kicking in the Jets' 28-23 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars.

"It was just the uncertainty of everything," Folk said. "Being my quad muscle on my right side, it is tough, just unknown really. [Returning in] four weeks would be pushing it. Could someone come back running in four weeks? Yeah. Doing the kicking motion? Maybe not."

Folk said there is no tear or structural damage in his quad but the injury is considered a Grade 1 strain to one of the most important muscles for kicking.

"Top of the quad, right near the hip flexor, part of the leg that really brings the leg forward," Folk explained. "It's one of the most important ones for a kicker. Just got to let it heal."

Punter Ryan Quigley became the emergency kicker Sunday against the Jaguars and went 4-for-4 on extra points. He didn't attempt any field goals.

Folk, 31, has been a consistent and durable kicker for the Jets, who signed him in 2010. Sunday marked the first time he has been injured. He has made 13 of 16 field goals this season (81.3 percent), which is slightly better than his career average. He has never missed an extra point, having converted 311 attempts in his career.

ESPN.com's Ohm Youngmisuk contributed to this report.