The Detroit Lions have announced that kicker Michael Badgley will miss the upcoming season due to a significant injury. The injury, sustained before a recent practice session, has been reported to be a torn hamstring, requiring Badgley to undergo surgery.
Head coach Dan Campbell expressed his sympathy for Badgley, acknowledging the hard work the kicker had put in to prepare for the season. Badgley, who joined the Lions' practice squad last year and was later activated, had shown promise with a perfect field goal record in the last regular-season games and playoffs.
In light of Badgley's absence, the Lions are now looking towards United Football League standout Jake Bates as a potential replacement. Bates, a 24-year-old who signed a two-year contract with the Lions in June, made headlines in the UFL for his impressive kicking abilities, including a record-breaking 64-yard field goal and a strong performance from long distances.
Coach Campbell confirmed that the team will be evaluating other kickers to compete with Bates for the starting position. The loss of Badgley presents a challenge for the Lions as they prepare for the upcoming season, but they are optimistic about Bates' potential to step up and fill the void left by the injured kicker.
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