Matt

McCrane

Per ESPN’s Field Yates, the Lions also worked out Lucas Havrisik, Matthew McCrane and Andre Szmyt following Michael Badgley’s season-ending injury. Ammendola (67.0 percent) and Havrisik (75.0 percent) are coming off shaky field-goal conversion rates in 2023. McCrane (80.0 percent) and Szmyt (87.0 percent) fared better in their recent UFL stints, though none of the four inspire confidence. The Lions’ fantasy-friendly kicker role may underwhelm in 2024.

McCrane kicked well at Kansas State, nailing over 86% of his field goals and missing just one extra point. But his rookie season went sideways fast in Oakland this year, going just 5-of-9 on field goals, but he made all five extra points. He had a one-game cup of coffee with Arizona, going 3-of-3 on PATs.

Phil Dawson is all systems go against the Chargers.

McCrane is expected to replace Phil Dawson (questionable, hip) Sunday. He’ll get to face his former team after being let go by Oakland earlier this year.

McCrane was let go by Oakland earlier this year after converting just five of his nine field goal attempts. This could be a sign the Cardinals are preparing to be without Phil Dawson, who missed Thursday’s practice with a hip injury. The Cards are hosting San Francisco (the only team they’ve beaten this year) on Sunday.

Mike Nugent is dealing with a hip injury sustained during the Raiders game against Miami on Sunday. McCrane will fill in for as long as Nugent is out, and there is a chance the Raiders send Nugent to IR. In college, McCrane made 86.6 percent of his field goals and just missed one of 134 extra points. McCrane went undrafted but spent time with the Cardinals in camp.