The Detroit Lions will have to make do without their kicker Michael Badgley for the entire 2024 season. Badgley sustained a serious injury during practice on Thursday, as confirmed by head coach Dan Campbell. Although the exact nature of the injury was not disclosed initially, ESPN later reported that the kicker tore his hamstring.
“It’s a tough situation,” expressed Campbell. “Michael had been putting in a lot of effort to prepare for the season. He was in great shape during the spring and ready for training camp. It’s unfortunate.”
Badgley is scheduled to undergo surgery to address the injury, according to Campbell. The Lions had brought Badgley onto their practice squad before the 2023 season. He was promoted to the active roster in December to replace struggling kicker Riley Patterson. Badgley performed well, making all his field-goal attempts in the regular season and postseason games.
Before joining the Lions, Badgley had a journeyman career in the NFL, with multiple stints across different teams. His overall field-goal success rate stands at 82.4%, ranking him 23rd among active kickers in the league.
With Badgley out for the season, the Lions have signed Jake Bates as their new kicker. Bates comes from the Michigan Panthers, where he had a successful run in the 2024 UFL season, making 17 of 22 field goals.
The loss of Badgley is a significant blow to the Lions, as they will now have to rely on Bates to handle their kicking duties for the upcoming season. The team will need to quickly integrate Bates into the roster and ensure that the special teams unit remains competitive without Badgley’s reliable presence.
As the Lions navigate this setback, fans will be eagerly anticipating how Bates steps up to the challenge and whether he can fill the shoes of the injured Badgley effectively. The upcoming season will undoubtedly be a test for the team’s special teams and their ability to adapt to unforeseen circumstances in the NFL.