It’s apparent the Detroit Lions have struggled to find a kicker that can get the job done on the field. In hopes of finding a suitable kicker, they have now signed Sam Ficken to the Practice Squad.

The Detroit #Lions have signed K Sam Ficken to the Practice Squad

— Maddy Miller (@madelynvmillerr) October 11, 2022

Ficken was born and raised in Valparaiso, Indiana before attending Penn State University.  While playing at Penn State, he broke a record for consecutive field goals made with 15.  He went undrafted in the 2015 NFL Draft and proceed to the Kansas City Chiefs minicamp, however, was not signed.

A year later, Ficken was signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars.  He would spend time in several organizations including the Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks, Green Bay Packers, New York Jets, and most recently the Tennessee Titans.

Ficken made his NFL debut in 2017 with the Los Angeles Rams.  In his career, he has played in 19 games, making 35 of 48 field goals and 49 of 56 extra points.  The longest field goal of his career was a 54-yarder, which he made in both 2019 and 2020.  However, he hasn’t seen playing time since the 2020 season with the New York Jets.

Kicker Transactions

The 29-year-old is now the fourth kicker to sign to the Lions’ Practice Squad in the last six weeks.  Here are the Lions’ kicker transactions:

• Aldrick Rosas – signed 9/1, released 9/20
• Dominik Eberle – signed 9/9, waived 10/4
• Michael Badgley – signed 10/5
• Austin Seibert – waived 10/7
• Sam Ficken – signed 10/11

Seibert was waived last week, leaving Badgley as the lone placekicker in the organization.  He was active for Sunday’s game verse the New England Patriots, but was not implemented.  

The Detroit Lions have a bye week this week and will resume play next week for their Week 7 matchup with the Dallas Cowboys. 

Maddy Miller – Detroit Lions Beat Reporter

On Twitter: @madelynvmillerr

Related Articles

Detroit Lions Kicking Conundrum

The Detroit Lions Waive Kicker Austin Seibert

Detroit Lions Player Spotlight: Michael Badgley

Lions Start New Kicker Dominik Eberle

Photo credit: George Walker IV / Tennessean.com