The Detroit Lions are looking to remain atop the NFC North after winning their division for the first time since the early 1990’s last season. After making it all the way to the NFC Championship Game, there is no reason to think that Detroit will not be even more of a dangerous team in 2024. Their young stars have gained a year of experience and Jared Goff and Amon-Ra St. Brown became two of the highest-paid players at their respective positions.
Unfortunately, the Lions did suffer a bit of a set-back during training camp. According to NFL insider Ari Meriov, kicker Michael Badgley suffered a severe injury as he prepared for practice on Thursday:
#Lions kicker Michael Badgley suffered a significant injury in practice and will be out for the season. He will undergo surgery. pic.twitter.com/dGYb4LnUCL
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) July 26, 2024
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the injury is a torn hamstring.
Badgley appeared in four games for the Lions last season, making all four of his field goal attempts while going 13/15 on extra point attempts.
Detroit Lions Kicker Michael Badgley Was the Favorite to Win the Job
The Lions had only two kickers in training camp: Badgley and Jake Bates, who previously had been released by the Green Bay Packers. Badgley was listed as Detroit’s starting kicker on their depth chart, indicating that he was the favorite to win the job.
Badgley first signed with the Lions’ practice squad in 2022 following his release from the Chicago Bears. In 2022, he appeared in 12 games for Detroit, making 20 of his 24 field goal attempts (83.3%) and all 33 of his extra point attempts.
Prior to that 2022 season split between Chicago and Detroit, Bagley played for the Indianapolis Colts and Tennessee Titans in 2021. Prior to those stops, he spent three seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers.
The Detroit Lions Could Give Former Green Bay Packers Kicker Mason Crosby a Look
Wm. Glasheen USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
While training camp has begun, there are a number of kickers that are still looking for a job, or at least the chance to earn a job. One of these is former Packers kicker Mason Crosby.
After the 2022 season, Green Bay made the decision to not re-sign Crosby, their franchise’s all-time leading scorer. Instead, they went with 2023 sixth round pick Anders Carlson, who had a turbulent season as a rookie.
Crosby spent most of the season waiting for an opportunity and ended up getting a couple late in the year. He was signed to the Los Angeles Rams practice squad, but never appeared in a game for them. After the Rams released him, the New York Giants picked him up.
Crosby made five of his seven field goal attempts for New York and six of his seven extra point attempts.
Playing in a dome stadium for over half of a season could do wonders for Crosby. He also has postseason and Super Bowl experience that could prove valuable to a team thirsty for a championship like the Lions.
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