NDIANAPOLIS — The Colts have reversed course at kicker.
Indianapolis waived Michael Badgley on Tuesday, then signed former New Orleans Saints kicker Blake Grupe to their practice squad after a tryout that included former Baltimore Ravens great Justin Tucker.
Badgley was under scrutiny after missing his third extra point in seven games in the Colts’ 20-16 loss to the Houston Texans on Sunday. Coach Shane Steichen on Monday left the door open to make a change and, earlier Tuesday, special teams coordinator Brian Mason made it clear the Colts were concerned about moving forward with Badgley.
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“We have to be able to make the layups and the free throws that we have, especially [extra points],” he said. “We’ve missed three PATs in seven games. It’s inexcusable.”
Grupe was released by the Saints last week in his third season with the team. He has converted 79.8% of his field goal attempts in his career and has missed two of 88 attempts on extra points.
The Colts held a three-man tryout on Tuesday that included Tucker, the Ravens five-time All-Pro. He remains a free agent after serving a 10-week suspension for violations of the NFL’s personal conduct policy related to alleged sexual misconduct with Baltimore-area massage therapists. Tucker has denied the allegations.
Tucker got his first workout since his reinstatement with the Saints last week when they were searching for a replacement for Grupe. The Saints opted to sign Cade York instead.
