Stats, UFL career, more for Detroit Lions backup kicker

The Detroit Lions suffered an early setback in their NFL playoff quest on Thursday, with kicker Michael Badgley suffering a “serious” injury just before practice.

Badgley’s injury required surgery and the 28-year-old kicker will go on the IR, ending his seventh NFL season before it can begin. He took over kicking duties for the Lions in Week 15 of last season and finished 13 of 15 extra point attempts and made all four field goal attempts in the regular season. Badgley made 13 of 13 extra points and was 8 of 9 field goal attempts in Detroit’s three postseason games.

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Badgley was in competition with former Michigan Panthers kicker Jake Bates ― whom the Lions signed this offseason ― for the starting kicker position during training camp. While the Lions are expected to bring more competition for the starting role following Badgley’s injury, Bates is currently the only active kicker on the roster.

Here’s what you need to know about Bates, including where he went to college, his UFL career, stats and more:

Who is Jake Bates?

Bates, born March 30, 2000 in Tomball, Texas, is currently the only active kicker on the Lions’ roster.

Jake Bates University

Bates attended Tomball High School and won the All-District First Team award and the District 20-5A Offensive MVP award for the Tomball football team.

He had an interesting college career, never attempting a field goal and starting out in another sport with stops at Central Arkansas, Texas State and Arkansas. Bates began his college career as a soccer player at Central Arkansas. Bates started 29 of 36 games during his two-year stint there, including 11 starts in 18 games during his sophomore season. He ranked second on the team with nine points after scoring three goals and three assists.

After his sophomore season, Bates transferred to Texas State, where he took over kickoff duties. He had 32 kickoffs in 2020, resulting in touchbacks and an average net average of 42.1 yards per kickoff. The following year, he averaged 62.76 yards per kickoff in 12 games, with 35 touchbacks on 53 kickoffs.

Bates then transferred to Arkansas for the 2022 season, where he earned first-team All-SEC honors from the league’s coaches as a kickoff specialist after leading the SEC and finishing fourth nationally with an average of 64.47 yards per kickoff during the 2022 season. He also finished third in the nation and led the SEC with 64 touchbacks.

He also attempted and recovered an onside kick against Alabama on Oct. 1, 2022.

Jake Bates, UFL and Michigan Panthers

Bates went undrafted in the 2023 NFL draft, but signed with the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent on July 31, 2023. He was released on August 12, 2023. Bates then signed with the Michigan Panthers of the UFL on December 25, 2023. Bates made 17 of 22 field goals for the Panthers in 10 games, scoring 51 points. He also made 4 of 6 attempts during the postseason.

Bates’ contract with the Panthers was terminated on June 17 so he could sign with an NFL team. A day later, Bates signed a two-year contract with the Detroit Lions.

Jake Bates UFL kicking record

In the 2023 season opener for the Michigan Panthers, Bates kicked a 64-yard field goal at Ford Field ― also home to the Lions. He has made three kicks of 60-plus yards during his rookie season. Baltimore Ravens All-Pro kicker Justin Tucker holds the record for the longest kick in NFL history with 66 yards, also at Ford Field, during Week 3 of the 2021 NFL season.

The 64-yard kick was the deciding one with eight seconds left on the clock. The St. Louis Battlehawks called a timeout to try to get Bates on the ice.

Jake Bates in Detroit Lions camp

Bates has impressed early in camp with the Lions. During Thursday’s practice, he made all six field goal attempts. He started his day with a 50-yard field goal and then two 38-yard field goals. He made a 52-yard field goal that hit the right post but bounced in, and finished his day with field goals of 43 and 37 yards.