Stampede Blue
According to the IndyStar’s Joel A. Erickson, the Indianapolis Colts have reunited with former place kicker Michael Badgley, as injured kicker Spencer Shrader’s replacement for the rest of the 2025 season:
The 30-year-old kicker originally signed with the Colts out of Miami (Fla.) as an undrafted rookie back in 2018, but after an impressive preseason and training camp, was cut as part of final 53-man roster cuts—as Indianapolis still had longtime, legendary veteran starter Adam Vinatieri.
Badgley’s been well-traveled, having also played for the Los Angeles Chargers, Tennessee Titans, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, and *Washington Commanders organizations.
He was later re-signed by the Colts in 2021 after former starter Rodrigo Blankenship suffered an injury. Filling in relief, Badgley converted 18 of 21 field goal attempts (85.7%) and was a perfect 39 of 39 from extra point range during 12 starts for Indianapolis.
He missed all of last season after suffering a torn hamstring during training camp with the Detroit Lions.
During 2023 in limited action with the Lions (4 starts) though, he was 4 for 4 in field goal attempts and 13 for 15 (86.7%) in extra point attempts.
The Colts also reportedly worked out veteran Dustin Hopkins and Matt Ammendola among other kicking options on Tuesday, but the ‘Money Badger’ apparently impressed the most and earned the job with his recent try out.
As such, it’ll be his third stint with the Colts organization, meaning they know him well.
Indianapolis had an immediate need of a replacement kicker, as the AFC’s reigning Special Teams Player of the Month, Spencer Shrader, suffered a season-ending right kicking knee injury during this past Sunday’s blowout win against the Las Vegas Raiders on an extra point attempt.
