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The Detroit Lions have reportedly worked out another UFL kicker in the aftermath of Michael Badgley’s season-ending injury.
According to reports from MLFootball and Mike Payton of A To Z Sports , the Detroit Lions have worked out UFL kicker Andre Szmyt. The news comes in the aftermath of Detroit losing starting kicker Michael Badgley to a torn hamstring this week that will cause him to miss the entirety of the 2024 season.
UPDATE: According to NFL Insider Aaron Wilson , in addition to working out Szmyt, the Lions also worked out kickers Matt Ammendola, Lucas Havrisik, and Matthew McCrane.
Szymyt went undrafted in 2023, and spent a couple months with the Chicago Bears before being waived a couple weeks into training camp. He spent this spring playing for the St. Louis Battlehawks, leading the league in field goals made. He was also quite accurate, making 19-of-21, including going 4-of-5 from 40-49 and 4-of-5 from 50+ (with a long of 61 yards). Prior to his professional career, Szymyt went 85-of-105 in five seasons at Syracuse, including 6-of-10 from 50+ yards.
Earlier on Friday, coach Dan Campbell noted that they had already worked out one kicker and plan to look at more to replace Badgley.
“We actually just had a workout and brought in some guys just to take a look at,” Campbell said. “It’s something that Brad and I are talking about right now, but we’re not in a hurry either. (If) we find the right guy that helps us for competition, then for camp, then we’ll do that.”
Of course, whoever the Lions end up signing will be in a competition with Jake Bates. He, too, is coming off a very successful UFL season with the Michigan Panthers where made multiple 60-yard kicks and finished the year earning All-UFL honors. However, Bates did not kick field goals in college.
“We’ve got to put him in as many pressure situations as we can in camp,” Campbell said of Bates. “And he has kicked in games, I know it’s not the same thing (as NFL games), but a little bit of it. The only way you’re going to know is you’ve got to put him out there and you’ve got to see how he does and that’ll come. I mean, look, right now he looks pretty good, and it’s early, but he has big leg and I like his personality, his aura, I mean, he’s got some confidence about him.”