Lions kicker Michael Badgley out for season with torn hamstring
Michael Badgley‘s season is over before it could get off the ground.
The Detroit Lions announced Friday that the kicker was injured preparing for Thursday’s practice. He will be placed on injured reserve and miss the 2024 season.
Badgley suffered a torn hamstring, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported, per a source informed of the injury.
It’s a brutal end to Badgley’s campaign.
The “Money Badger” joined the Lions’ practice squad last season and was eventually elevated to the starting role in December. Badgley didn’t have the strongest leg but was accurate from short distances. He made all four of his regular-season field goals and all three postseason attempts, including a 54-yarder in Detroit’s wild-card win over Los Angeles.
Badgley entered training camp poised to compete with big-legged Jake Bates, who shined in the UFL with the Michigan Panthers, for the Lions’ kicker job. With the veteran’s season already over, Bates has a clearer path to the gig.
Coach Dan Campbell said Friday that the club would probably add another kicker at some point to compete but aren’t in a hurry as Bates looked good in practice on Thursday.
