In a move that underscores the Buffalo Bills’ determination to stay competitive amid injury setbacks, the team has officially signed veteran kicker Michael Badgley to their practice squad. The announcement comes just days after a thrilling come-from-behind victory over the New England Patriots, keeping Buffalo firmly in the playoff hunt. Badgley, recently released by the Indianapolis Colts—an AFC rival—steps in as a temporary replacement for the injured Matt Prater, providing much-needed depth at a critical position.
The Injury Situation: Prater Sidelined
Head coach Sean McDermott confirmed on Monday that Prater, the 41-year-old kicking stalwart, is dealing with a quad injury and is considered week-to-week. Prater, who has been a reliable force for the Bills this season, will miss at least Week 16’s matchup against the Cleveland Browns. His absence is a blow to the team, especially given his impressive performance in 2025: 18-of-20 on field goals and 43-of-46 on extra points through 14 games.
Prater’s heroics earlier in the season, including the game-winning kick in the Week 1 comeback against Baltimore, have made him a fan favorite. As the second-oldest active player in the league (behind the recently unretired Philip Rivers), Prater’s leg strength shows no signs of fading. However, injuries have plagued Buffalo’s kicking game all year. Starting kicker Tyler Bass, a 2020 sixth-round pick from Georgia Southern, has been out since the preseason with a hip/groin injury that required surgery, sidelining him for the entire season. Bass boasts a career field goal percentage of 84.5% and 96.4% on extra points, but his unavailability led to Prater’s signing just before the regular season kicked off.
With Prater now on the mend, the Bills acted swiftly, working out multiple kickers before settling on Badgley.
Meet the New Addition: Michael “Money Badger” Badgley
Badgley, an eighth-year pro out of the University of Miami, brings a wealth of experience to Orchard Park. Undrafted in 2018, he initially signed with the Los Angeles Chargers, where he earned the nickname “Money Badger” for his clutch performances. His career field goal accuracy stands at 83.1%, making him a solid, battle-tested option.
Most recently, Badgley was with the Indianapolis Colts in 2025. He joined Indy after their kicker Spencer Shrader suffered a season-ending ACL tear in Week 5. Badgley filled the void admirably until the Colts signed Blake Grupe a couple of weeks ago, leading to his release. Now, he’s set to don No. 32 for the Bills—an unconventional number for a kicker, but one that adds a quirky twist to his arrival.
In a corresponding roster move, the Bills released cornerback M.J. Devonshire from the practice squad. Devonshire, a 2024 seventh-round pick by the Las Vegas Raiders out of Pitt, has yet to see NFL action and was let go to make room for Badgley.
Impact on the Bills’ Playoff Push
This signing couldn’t come at a more pivotal time for Buffalo. Fresh off their road win over the Patriots, the Bills remain in contention for the AFC East crown. They’re currently one game behind New England with three weeks left in the season. While the Patriots hold the tiebreaker advantage—thanks to a flawless division record against the Dolphins and Jets—the Bills have a path forward. They’ll need to outperform New England or hope the Pats stumble in their remaining games against New York and Miami.
The kicking position has proven crucial in tight contests this year, and Badgley’s addition ensures the Bills aren’t caught short-handed. If Prater’s recovery lingers, Badgley could see elevation to the active roster, potentially making his debut against the Browns.
Fans are already buzzing about the “Money Badger” potentially delivering in high-stakes moments, much like Prater has done. As the Bills gear up for the final stretch, this veteran acquisition signals their all-in mentality for a deep playoff run.
Stay tuned for updates on Prater’s status and Badgley’s integration into the team. Go Bills!