Colts' Kicking Woes Continue: Michael Badgley Waived, Blake Grupe Signed

The Indianapolis Colts have made a significant change in their kicking game, waiving kicker Michael Badgley after he struggled with missed extra points in recent weeks. According to Pro Football Talk, Badgley missed his third extra point in just seven games with the team, prompting the Colts to look for a new option. In his time with Indianapolis, Badgley managed to make 10 of 11 field goals, but his 18 of 21 record on extra points raised concerns, especially after his misses contributed to critical losses, including a recent game against the Houston Texans. Badgley was originally signed after Spencer Shrader suffered a season-ending injury in Week 5, but the Colts' recent performance indicated a need for stability in the kicking position as they enter the late season, currently tied for first place in the AFC South with an 8-4 record, as reported by Pro Football Talk.

In response to Badgley's release, the Colts signed Blake Grupe to their practice squad. Grupe, who previously played for the New Orleans Saints, was waived by New Orleans after a disappointing season where he converted only 18 of 26 field goal attempts. His performance included missed attempts from both short and long ranges, but he managed to hit all of his extra point attempts. This inconsistency led to his release, and now the Colts hope he can bring a fresh start to their kicking game. Grupe's connection with Colts special teams coach Brian Mason, who coached him at Notre Dame, may play a role in his integration into the team, as mentioned by Horseshoe Heroes.

The Colts have faced ongoing challenges in their kicking game, as noted by multiple sources. Badgley's inconsistency was highlighted as he became the first Colts kicker to miss at least three extra points in a season since 2019. His performance was particularly criticized after the missed extra point against the Texans, which shifted the team's strategy late in the game, requiring a touchdown instead of a potential game-tying field goal. The Colts are now hoping Grupe can provide the stability they desperately need as they look to improve their performance in the crucial late-season games. Grupe's initial signing to the practice squad allows the Colts the flexibility to evaluate his performance before making a more permanent decision, as detailed by Grand Rapids Press.

As the Colts prepare for their matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars, they will look to elevate Grupe to the active roster in hopes that he can deliver better results than Badgley did. With the team under pressure to maintain their playoff push, the kicking position remains a critical focus, with Grupe given a chance to prove himself in the coming weeks. The Colts' ongoing search for a reliable kicker underscores a larger trend of instability at this position, having cycled through multiple kickers over the past few seasons, according to Stampede Blue. With the playoffs on the line, the Colts' decision to bring in Grupe reflects their commitment to finding a solution to their kicking woes.