The Patriots got an unwelcome Thanksgiving surprise, as Mike Petraglia and Ian Rapoport have reported that kicker Nick Folk had an appendectomy and will miss this weekend's game in Houston.

Folk was already the third kicker the Patriots have used this season after Stephen Gostkowski was lost to a hip injury and they released Mike Nugent after four games in which he went three-for-four on field goals and 15-for-16 on extra points. He attempted and missed just one kick beyond 40 yards.

The good news is that Folk is expected to only miss one or two games. He hit two needed field goals over 40 yards in rain and wind against the Cowboys, though he had two misses as well which for forgivable considering the conditions. It's an unfortunate setback just as Folk was just starting to win some trust.

The Patriots also had Younghoe Koo on their practice squad this season but he has since been signed by Atlanta and is playing well for them.

The easiest solution is likely to just bring back Nugent since the game will be inside a dome and it's already Thursday. If he's needed for next week against the Chiefs in Foxboro it could get interesting but hopefully Folk recovers quickly.

Update - The team will reportedly sign Kai Forbath to fill in for at least this weekend. The team had tried him out earlier in the season and now he'll make the fourth kicker to be on the roster this year.