Lions kicker Jake Bates did not finish the preseason strong on Saturday. Lions coach Dan Campbell is not concerned.
Bates did not attempt any field goals in the Lions’ preseason finale but did attempt three extra points, missing two of them. Bates is the only kicker on the Lions’ roster, so he’s in no danger of getting cut, and Campbell said the Lions have full confidence in him.
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“No, I’m not worried about Bates. He just pushed them a little bit. He’ll be fine. He’ll be fine,” Campbell said.
Bates also missed a field goal in last week’s preseason game, and he wasn’t as good in 2025 as he was in 2024, when the Lions signed him out of the United Football League and he became one of the NFL’s best kickers. It wouldn’t be unreasonable for the Lions to have some concerns at kicker heading into the season, but Campbell insists he doesn’t.
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