NFL insiders Ian Rapoport and Adam Schefter revealed that Detroit Lions kicker Michael Badgley won’t play in the 2024 season after a hamstring tear during their training camp practice. As the Lions put him on injured reserve, they will try out other kickers to join them in 2024.
Badgley started his second stint with the Lions last year, converting all four field goal attempts and 13 extra-point tries after taking over from Riley Patterson. However, if you’re counting games that matter, it’s like Badgley never left Detroit because he played for the Lions in 2022, finishing with 24 field goals and 33 extra-point conversions.
However, he signed with the Washington Commanders during the 2023 offseason after the Lions released him. Unfortunately, the Commanders released him a month before the season started. The Tennessee Titans signed him for the same month but released him five years later.
The #Lions announced that K Michael Badgley suffered a severe injury getting ready for practice yesterday and is out for the season. He’ll go on Injured Reserve, and the team will eventually work out kickers.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 26, 2024
After going undrafted in 2018, Badgley has also played for the Los Angeles Chargers, Indianapolis Colts, and Chicago Bears. As of the 2023 season, the kicker from the University of Miami has 98 field goal conversions and 168 extra points.
With Badgley out for the season, the Lions will likely rely on Jake Bates, the former United Football League kicker who went viral for converting multiple 60-yard field goals. However, the team also conducted a workout for other kickers who could help their cause.
-Lance Fernandez