ALAMEDA, Calif. (AP) — Daniel Carlson couldn’t make a field goal during his short stint in Minnesota and now he can’t miss since getting a second chance in Oakland.

Carlson returns to Minnesota on Sunday for the first time since the Vikings cut their former fifth-round pick two games into his rookie season and now he’s one of the game’s most accurate kickers.

“Every kicker’s going to have ups and downs. That’s part of the job,” Carlson said. “Some days you’re going to be the hero and some days not so much. That’s part of it. You grow and hopefully you learn from those experiences. I think I have. I don’t think it’s going to be the last kick I ever miss. Hopefully, I play many, many years.”

The Vikings expected that to happen in Minnesota after trading up to use a draft pick on a kicker for just the second time in 40 years.

But Carlson didn’t get much of a chance to prove himself. He made a 48-yard field goal and all three extra points in his Vikings debut but things quickly turned sour from there.

The next week in Green Bay, Carlson missed field goals of 48, 49 and 35 yards, with the last two failed tries coming in overtime and forcing the Vikings to settle for a 29-29 tie with the rival Packers.

That led to his release and the time off he spent working on his technique and approach before signing a few weeks later with the Raiders.

“Those were some tough times, getting cut early on in my NFL career, but it’s been fun seeing how it’s all worked out,” he said. “I’m in a great spot here in Oakland. I just want to improve and get better personally.”

Carlson has made 18 of 19 field goals attempts and all 22 extra points since joining Oakland, providing a sense of security for coach Jon Gruden at that crucial position.

Carlson’s biggest moment for the Raiders came last November when he kicked a 35-yard field goal on the final play of a 23-21 win at Arizona.

“He’s an ice man,” Gruden said. “He’s kicked the ball in clutch situations. He helped us beat Arizona at the buzzer. His kickoffs have really improved, if you’ve seen that. He’s had some touchbacks. Great guy, got a huge upside, big leg, but we really are proud to have him.”