Jake Bates sealed up the Lions' kicking job with performance vs. Chiefs

After Michael Badgley's season-ending injury, it seemed like a formality the Detroit Lions would sign a second kicker. Maybe to just get through camp and three preseason games, or maybe as genuine competition for Jake Bates. The four kickers they in for a workout right after Badgley's injury definitely were on the "camp leg" side.

About a week into being the only kicker on the roster, Bates invited questions about his status as he had to have pushed the Lions toward possibly signing another kicker. But head coach Dan Campbell told reporters that Bates was told he would get a chance to respond, and in the preseason opener against the Giants he made a 53-yard field goal in rainy conditions.

Bates followed that with good practice days last Sunday and Monday, appearing to take hold of the job.

Lions' special teams coach Dave Fipp had a reasonable explanation for why a second kicker hasn't been brought in. Essentially, not unlike Hendon Hooker at quarterback, Bates needs the reps.

"I think a lot of it is repetition, Fipp said. "And that kind of hurt him early; he didn’t have the whole offseason with us. We picked him up right as the offseason (minicamp and OTAs) ended … he got a little work in but not that much.”

Then on Wednesday this past week, per reporters on-site, Bates was erratic again, inviting new questions.

Jake Bates sealed up Lions' kicking job vs. Chiefs

In the first half of Saturday's game against the Chiefs, Bates seemed to seal up the Lions' kicking job with a 55-yard field goal that would've been good from much longer.

After Nate Sudfeld hit wide receiver Kade Davis for a 61-yard touchdown, Bates missed the extra point, turning the sentiment about him in kind. And keeping the roller coaster that has been following his exploits during training camp going.

Ben Raven of MLive summed things up nicely from a reporter's perspective after the missed PAT.

"missed extra point, welcome to the jake bates camp experience we've been seeing. the talent is there, but so inconsistent"

Bates made a 23-yard field goal late in the first half, to start redeeming himself.

The missed extra point on Saturday is the latest evidence of the inconsistency the Lions have made a choice to let Bates work through.

Bates made a 32-yard field goal in the third quarter, bouncing back a little more from the missed extra point.

With a game-winning 43-yard field goal, after the first half roller coaster, Bates locked up the kicking job for the Lions. Not only with a 4-for-4 performance on field goals, but having a short memory after missing an extra point.