The Indianapolis Colts are preparing to face the San Francisco 49ers in their Week 16 game. However, they won’t be bringing kicker Michael Badgley onto the field after what happened in Week 13 against the Houston Texans.
Colts Waive Michael Badgley and Bring In Blake Grupe
Spencer Shrader began this season as the Colts’ starting kicker and was excellent in the five games he played, converting all 14 of his extra-point attempts and missing just one of his 14 field goals.
He looked like one of the best kickers of the season, but unfortunately, he tore his ACL and MCL during the Week 5 game against the Las Vegas Raiders when an opposing player ran into him. This devastating knee injury ended his season early. Badgley stepped in to take over his role, but compared to Shrader, he wasn’t as impressive.
Badgley performed well on field goals, making 10 of 11 attempts, including two from beyond 50 yards. But he struggled with extra points, converting only 18 of 21 PATs.
Badgley’s missed extra point attempts this season have hurt the team, especially in Week 13 against the Texans. That missed extra point at a crucial moment played a big role in the Colts’ 16–20 loss, and the team found it frustrating enough to waive him.
The Colts are currently in a tough situation at 8-6, having lost five of their last six games. Every game is a must-win matchup for them to make the playoffs, and they need a reliable kicker.
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Colts special teams coordinator, Brian Mason, while talking to the Media, addressed the situation and shared that the team is looking for a new kicker ahead of their Week 14 game.
Indianapolis decided to sign former Saints kicker Blake Grupe before the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, and he has played for them since then. In two games for the team, Grupe has made all five field goal attempts, with his longest being a 60-yard attempt, and is perfect (2/2) on extra points.
He will be making his third appearance for the Colts tonight against the San Francisco 49ers. According to PFSN’s NFL Playoff Predictor, coming into Week 16, Indianapolis just has a 9.20% chance of making the postseason, and a loss tonight will eliminate them.
Indianapolis Colts’ Week 16 Stats and Insights
​Team: The Indianapolis Colts finish with a home game against the Jaguars and a road game against the Texans. They have lost to both teams since Week 13.
QB:Â Philip Rivers had a QBi score of 73.2 (C-) in his first game since 2020. The score was higher than in five of his 16 games played in 2020.
Offense: Jonathan Taylor’s PFSN’s Running Back Impact (RBi) weekly rank has been 23rd or lower in four of the last six games. Taylor, who is ranked second for the season in RBi, has achieved nine weekly top ten finishes.
Defense: Week 15 against the Seahawks was the first game this season that Indianapolis didn’t force a turnover. The Colts have forced 18, which is tied for the ninth most in the league.
Fantasy:Â Jonathan Taylor has five games this season with three touchdowns. Since returning from his Week 11 bye, Taylor has one touchdown total.
