Jake Bates wrapped up the Lions’ kicking job with performance vs. Chiefs

The Detroit Lions signing of a backup kicker felt like a formality following Michael Badgley’s season-ending injury. Perhaps only to get through three preseason games and camp, or perhaps as real rivalry for Jake Bates. Following Badgley’s injury, the four kickers who worked out were undoubtedly on the “camp leg” side.

After being the sole kicker on the team for about a week, Bates raised concerns about his future because he had to have persuaded the Lions to consider adding another kicker. However, head coach Dan Campbell informed reporters that Bates was given an opportunity to reply, and in the wet preseason opener against the Giants, he converted a 53-yard field goal.

Bates followed that with good practice days last Sunday and Monday, appearing to take hold of the job. Lions’ special teams coach Dave Fipp had a reasonable explanation for why a second kicker hasn’t been brought in.

Essentially, not unlike Hendon Hooker at quarterback, Bates needs the reps. “I think a lot of it is repetition, Fipp said. “And that kind of hurt him early; he didn’t have the whole offseason with us. We picked him up right as the offseason (minicamp and OTAs) ended … he got a little work in but not that much.” Then on Wednesday this past week, per reporters on-site, Bates was erratic again, inviting new questions.