The Detroit Lions signed Jake Bates from the United Football League and waived fellow kicker James Turner on Tuesday.
Bates spent the spring with the Michigan Panthers and made 21 of 28 field goals, including a 64-yard attempt and two others of at least 60 yards. He also made visits to the Washington Commanders and Green Bay Packers but chose to say in Detroit, where he kicked at Ford Field for the Panthers.
The Lions currently employ veteran kicker Michael Badgley.
Badgley, who turns 29 next month, spent parts of the past two seasons with the Lions, his fifth team. In 16 regular-season games with Detroit, Badgley has made 24 of 28 field goal attempts with a long of 53.
Bates, 25, played his senior season in 2022 at Arkansas, where he was a kickoff specialist and didn’t attempt field goals. He was named to All-SEC first-team after leading the conference with an average of 64.47 yards per kickoff.
Turner, 23, was an undrafted rookie who played at Louisville (2019-22) and Michigan (2023).
–Field Level Media
The New York Mets exacted at least a bit of revenge on the Los Angeles Dodgers at home just over a week ago, with another duel between the teams to…
Second place in the National League West — and possibly first place by the end of the series — will be on the line when the San Diego Padres and…
Minnesota manager Rocco Baldelli isn’t big on moral victories, but he was able to maintain a positive view after the Twins lost two of three to the host Seattle Mariners…
Padres, Giants clash in key divisional series by the Bay
Twins carry optimism into series vs. slumping Athletics
Brewers bring 7-game win streak into set at Cincinnati
White Sox’s Jonathan Cannon looks for better outing vs. Tigers
Field Level Media - Professional sports content solutions | FLM
