The Colts on Tuesday waived kicker Michael Badgley.
Badgley appeared in seven games for the Colts this season, joining the team after kicker Spencer Shrader sustained season-ending ACL and MCL injuries while kicking a PAT during the Colts’ Week 5 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. Badgley, an eight-year NFL veteran, converted 10-of-11 field goal attempts and 18-of-21 PAT attempts.
Badgley missed his third PAT of the season in the Colts’ Week 12 loss to the Houston Texans on Sunday.
Colts special teams coordinator Brian Mason, speaking to the media on Tuesday prior to the roster move, said the Colts would be evaluating “all kicker options that (they) possibly have.”
“We have to put ourselves in the best position to be successful to find the person that we think is going to be able to convert scoring opportunities, obviously be able to work well with our specialist unit, work well as a whole with special teams and be a good fit with the team,” Mason said. “All those things are going to come into mind with that. But also, Shane (Steichen) as the head coach has to be able to trust the kicker, as he’s calling the game and working through the game, that he’s going to be able to make kicks and not impact decisions on going for it and different things like that.
“If we’re looking at the situation in Week 14, we’re looking for somebody that’s experienced, that we know can handle pressure, that we know can be consistent to be able to make kicks within games. Obviously everybody would love somebody that can make 60-yard field goals and make all their PATs and make consistent field goals, but as we’re looking at things right now, we’re looking for who can make PATs and be reliable to make kicks within 50, who can we trust to be able to do that for the next five weeks and then into the playoffs.”
