Jake Bates, The Kicking Job Is Yours If You Want It!!!

Jake Bates, the former Michigan Panthers kicker who raised eyebrows with his series of long field goal makes during this spring's United Football League (UFL) season, is now the leading candidate to become the Detroit Lions kicker this season.

This after fellow kicker Michael Badgely (pictured above) was lost for the season due to an injury, reportedly a torn hamstring, suffered before Thursday's training camp practice.  He will be put on season-ending injured reserve.

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Badgely has kicked for the Lions for most of the last two seasons.  After losing the kicking job in last year's training camp to Riley Patterson, Badgely was signed to the team's practice squad and was elevated to the active roster late in the year and went 7-7 on field goals in the regular season and playoffs.  His injury now leaves the UFL sensation (Bates) as the only kicker in camp.  Lions head coach Dan Campbell said that the team will bring in another kicker to compete with Bates.

Bates made a name for himself by hitting several 50+ yard field goals for the UFL's Michigan Panthers this past spring, including one from 64 yards.  He was 17-22 for the Panthers this spring.  Bates made such an impression that the Lions signed him to a 2 year deal after the UFL season was completed.

The Detroit Lions are in preparation for their first preseason game, which is on August 8th when they're at the New York Giants.  The Lions first regular season game is on September 8th when they face the Los Angeles Rams at Ford Field.