The Detroit Lions have yet to add a kicker to the offseason roster to compete with Jake Bates in the wake of the season-ending injury to Michael Badgley, but Friday's practice was a reminder that they need to do that.
According to Jeremy Reisman of Pride of Detroit, Bates had a rough showing at the team's latest training camp practice on Friday. The former UFL star made either 8-of-14 or 8-of-15 attempts during the session (Reisman writes 8-of-14 but has 15 attempts listed), along with 5-of-6 extra points.
Reisman notes that Bates' field goal makes came from 25, 29, 33, 38, 43, 48, 51 and 59, and his misfires came from 40, 46, 46, 46, 51, 54 and 64.
Now, it should be noted that Bates had about five or more games worth of attempts in one sitting, so fatigue may have played a part in his showing. However, that doesn't completely erase the concerns over those numbers.
Very lively Lions practice today, sitting down to write up the notes. Be forewarned: it will not be kind for Jake Bates, Hendon Hooker or Giovanni Manu.
— Jeff Risdon (@JeffRisdon) August 2, 2024
Bates' performance at practice underscores the question mark he is. We know he has a monster leg capable of making kicks from just about any distance, but we don't know if he's capable of being consistent enough on a game-by-game basis to be a starting kicker in the NFL.
The Lions have brought in other kickers for workouts in Matt Ammendola, Lucas Havrisik, Andre Szmyt and Matthew McCrane, but the team didn't sign any of them. One of the team's undrafted free agents this year, James Turner, is also available.
Bates' lackluster showing only drives home the idea that Detroit must add another kicker to compete for Bates, and ideally one with some experience.
