Thursday's training camp practice for the Detroit Lions saw Jake Bates doing all the kicking during team periods. That was kind of odd as the competition for the kicker job got going, but now we know why.
Head coach Dan Campbell opened his press conference Friday morning with an announcement that kicker Michael Badgely suffered a significant leg injury before Thursday's practice and he will need surgery. He will go on IR, and he will be out for the season.
"Badgley had a significant injury yesterday getting ready for practice," coach Dan Campbell said, via John Maakaron of SI.com. "He will be on injured reserve coming up, he will be out for the season, he's actually having surgery. Feel awful for Badge, man, he worked his tail off to get ready for the season, he had a good spring and was ready for camp. Anyway, it's tough."
Subsequent reports have said it's a torn hamstring for Badgley.
Jake Bates now the frontrunner to be the Lions' kicker
Bates became a sensation for Lions' fans after making a 64-yard game-winning field goal in the Michigan Panthers' UFL season opener this spring. On Thursday, in what has now been revealed as an unfortunate circumstance for Badgley, Bates went 6-for-6 on field goals to make a literally perfect first impression in his effort to win the job. Now, less than 24 hours later, he's the front runner.
Campbell said another kicker will be brought in, but the aren't in any hurry to sign someone. One report said the Lions will "eventually" work out kickers, but Campbell himself said they already did so.
"We actually just held a workout and brought in some guys just to take a look at. "It's something Brad and I are talking about right now. But we're not in a hurry, either. We find the right guy that helps us for competition for camp, then we'll do that."
Update, July 26, 5:25 p.m. ET: According to NFL insider Aaron Wilson, the Lions worked out kickers Matt Ammendola, Lucas Havriski, Matthew McCrane and Andre Szmyt.
Via Mike Payton of AtoZ Sports, we already knew about Szmyt's workout.
#Lions worked out kickers Matt Ammendola, Lucas Havrisik, Matthew McCrane and Andre Szmyt
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) July 26, 2024
It appears to be Bates' job to lose now, but we'll see who the Lions add to replace Badgley.