Chargers Sign Rookie Kicker After Michael Badgley Suffers Setback on Groin Injury
By Chris Pyo
In the aftermath of starting kicker Michael Badgley's groin injury setback, the injury-ravaged Los Angeles Chargers have solidified their kicking position by signing rookie Chase McLaughlin to a contract.
McLaughlin latched onto the Buffalo Bills roster after going undrafted in 2019, but was later waived during the final round of roster cuts. He was also signed to the Minnesota Vikings practice squad, but was again cut.
The #Chargers are signing kicker Chase McLaughlin, source said. Michael Badgley is still a couple weeks away after a minor setback in rehabbing from his groin injury. So, McLaughlin — a rookie from Illinois — gets his shot.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 2, 2019
Badgley, the starting kicker, hasn't played a single game this season after suffering the aforementioned groin injury before Week 1. In his absence, punter Ty Long has been filling in as starting kicker, and he's done a serviceable job for the Chargers, going 7-for-9 on field goal attempts and a perfect 9-for-9 on extra points.
Ty Long is the only player here without “K” listed as his position. He’s 9-of-9 on XPs and 7-of-9 on FGs through Week 4. “Whatever it takes to win,” he said. “We got a team to make a run at this thing, and that’s what we’re trying to do.” pic.twitter.com/3d16c8B2YR
— Chris Hayre (@chrishayre) September 30, 2019
The Chargers are most likely signing McLaughlin as much-needed depth at the kicker position, but depending on how the rookie out of Illinois does in practice this week, perhaps he'll get some kicking action against the Denver Broncos as well.