The Detroit Lions’ decision to sign UFL star Jake Bates looks more prudent as of Friday. That’s because the NFC North champions will be without kicker Michael Badgley for the season due to a torn hamstring.
Badgley is going to have surgery on the injury. Dan Campbell addressed the situation.
“We feel awful for Badge,” Campbell said. “He worked his tail off to get ready for this season. He was having a good spring and was ready for camp. It’s tough.”
Badgley took over the Lions’ kicking role in Week 15 last year, and was 13-of-15 on extra points and 4-of-4 on field goals in the regular season, plus 13-of-13 on extra points and 8-of-9 on field goals in the postseason.
Bates became a star in the fledgling league. He went from not having kicked a field goal since high school to booming long kicks in the UFL.
With the Michigan Panthers, Bates made 17 of 22 field goals. He also hit 4 of 6 attempts during the postseason. Three of his field goals were longer than 60 yards.