At the close of training camp, Lions general manager Brad Holmes expressed a desire to add a kicker to the practice squad, and Greg Joseph was signed last week. Practice squad players are always at risk of being stolen by another team for their active roster if they want to take advantage of the opportunity, like the Lions experienced on Tuesday.
According to his agent, Brett Tessler, the New York Giants have added Joseph to their active roster off the Lions’ practice squad.
Joseph was simply an experienced backup option for the Lions, and bringing him in did not suggest that Jake Bates’ job security was jeopardized. Bates is 8-for-8 on kicks through two games (5-for-5 on field goals, 3-for-3 on extra points), rewarding the patience he demonstrated in the preseason.
In New York, Joseph has an immediate opportunity. Graham Gano, the Giants’ kicker, suffered a hamstring injury on the opening kickoff of last Sunday’s game against the Washington Commanders. He had been dealing with a groin issue during practice week. However, no contingency arrangements were established. They essentially lost to Washington because they lacked a credible place kicker when Gano was declared unavailable.
Lions have an available place on their practice roster after losing Greg Joseph.
The Lions could consider replacing Joseph on the practice squad with another veteran kicker (former Lions Riley Patterson and Randy Bullock are among the candidates). Even though Bates won the job and is off to a good start this season, having a veteran option available has proved vital.
The story here for the Lions, while losing Joseph is a needle-mover for some supporters, is that they now have an available position on the practice squad, which they may fill. With Tim Patrick apparently on track to make the 53-man roster soon, they may have two practice squad spots to fill as the practice week begins on Wednesday.
Leave a Reply