NFL Player News

Badgley will handle kicking duties in Sunday's game against the Titans in London with Caleb Sturgis (quadriceps) inactive for the contest, Ricky Henne of the Chargers' official site reports.

Though Sturgis was labeled a full participant in practice Friday, the Chargers have elected to hold him out through their bye week, allowing Badgley to earn a second straight turn as the team's kicker. The undrafted rookie provided stability on special teams in the 38-14 win over the Browns in Week 6, making all five of his extra-point attempts while converting on a 44-yard field goal in the fourth quarter. With another solid outing this weekend, Badgley could retain the kicking job even if Sturgis is back to full health coming out of the Chargers' Week 8 bye. Prior to suffering the injury, Sturgis had been shaky all season, missing four of 12 extra-point tries while going an unremarkable 9-for-12 on field goals.

Sturgis (quadriceps) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Titans in London.

After missing the Chargers' Week 6 win over the Browns with the quad issue, Sturgis took part in practice throughout this week, logging limited sessions Wednesday and Thursday before upgrading to a full practice participant Friday. While that activity suggests Sturgis' condition is improving, the Chargers will allow him to heal up through their Week 8 bye, affording Michael Badgley another turn at kicker. Badgley made all six of his kicks against Cleveland, so with another solid performance in London, it's possible he could keep the job over a healthy Sturgis coming out of the bye. Sturgis has converted just nine of 12 field-goal tries and eight of 12 extra-point attempts across five appearances.

Zuerlein confirmed after Friday's practice that he'll be ready to kick Sunday at San Francisco, Myles Simmons of the Rams' official site reports.

The Rams released Cairo Santos on Tuesday, so it came as a bit of a surprise when Zuerlein sounded hesitant Wednesday when he was asked about his chances of returning from the groin injury in Week 7. He's apparently feeling more confident after logging full practice participation throughout the week, setting up a return to his usual status as one of the top fantasy options at kicker.

Coach Anthony Lynn hinted that Michael Badgley will likely be needed to replace Sturgis (quad) for Sunday's game against the Titans in London, Jeff Miller of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Sturgis is listed as questionable on the final injury report, potentially shaping up as a game-time decision ahead of Sunday's 9:30 a.m. EDT kickoff. The timing allows for plenty of alternatives if Sturgis shows up on the inactive list, but it also creates the risk of getting stuck with a zero if he's accidentally left in a lineup and doesn't play. Badgley was effective last week against the Browns, converting each of five extra-point attempts as well as a 44-yard field goal.

Zuerlein turned in back-to-back full practices Wednesday and Thursday, Rich Hammond of the Los Angeles Daily News reports.

It's been an interesting few days for Zuerlein. On Tuesday, his replacement the previous two games (Cairo Santos) was released, paving the way for Zuerlein to return. Coach Sean McVay proceeded to clear him Wednesday, only for Zuerlein himself to tell Myles Simmons of the Rams' official site that he wants to get through the week without a setback before he'll be confident in his right leg. However, McVay told Hammond on Thursday that Zuerlein is "fine" and "kicking," putting to rest whether he'll be available Sunday at San Francisco.

Badgley could continue to serve as the Chargers' kicker in Sunday's game against the Titans in London, Ryan Kartje of The Orange County Register reports. "Mike did a good job," coach Anthony Lynn said, referring to Badgley's performance in the 38-14 victory over the Browns in Week 6. "Maybe we'll let [incumbent kicker Caleb Sturgis] heal another week and go with Mike. Right now, we're just going with the guy that's healthy. When they're both healthy, we'll figure it out."

Sturgis was unable to recover from a quadriceps injury in time to dress against Cleveland, allowing the recently signed Badgley to make his NFL debut. The undrafted rookie out of Miami (Fla.) aced the test, nailing a 44-yard field goal and all five of his extra-point tries in the blowout win. Badgley's ability to knock down the freebies was no small feat, considering Sturgis had put his job in jeopardy by missing four of 12 extra-point attempts through the first five games. Sturgis remained a limited participant in practice for the second straight day Thursday and may not be fully healthy by the time the weekend arrives, tentatively putting Badgley on track to handle the kicking duties once more.

Sturgis (quadriceps) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.

While Sturgis' back-to-back limited practice sessions to begin the week imply he has a chance to reclaim kicking duties Sunday against the Titans in London, he'll probably need a full practice Friday to avoid an injury designation heading into the weekend. Even in that scenario, it's not a lock that Sturgis serves as the Los Angeles kicker after replacement Michael Badgley drilled his only field-goal attempt (from 44 yards) and connected on all five extra-point tries in the Week 6 win over the Browns. Sturgis, on the other hand, had already missed seven kicks (three field goals, four extra points) through the first five weeks to put his job security in question.

Tavecchio will handle the Falcons' kicking duties in Week 7 against the Giants, Vaughn McClure of ESPN reports.

Coach Dan Quinn relayed an injury report on the radio Thursday morning, where he ruled out Matt Bryant (hamstring) in favor of the recently-signed Tavecchio. The 28-year-old converted 76.2 percent of his field goals last year with Oakland, and should see plenty of opportunities in what's expected to be a high-scoring affair indoors Monday night.

Falcons coach Dan Quinn said in a radio interview Thursday morning that Bryant (hamstring) has been ruled out Monday night against the Giants, Vaughn McClure of ESPN reports.

Bryant had a perfect kicking day Week 6 against Tampa Bay, but had to be helped off the field and did not speak to media afterwards. It turns out this injury will force him to miss time, and the Falcons should confirm Quinn's assertion when their official injury report is released this week. With Bryant on the shelf, the recently signed Giorgio Tavecchio will handle kicking duties for the Monday night matchup.

Zuerlein (groin) said Wednesday that he still needs to make it through the week of practice and see how he feels before confirming his availability for Sunday's game against the 49ers, Myles Simmons of the Rams' official site reports.

The Rams left no doubt about their expectation of Zuerlein returning in Week 7 when they released Cairo Santos on Tuesday. Coach Sean McVay then said Zuerlein has been cleared for Sunday's game at San Francisco, but the kicker sounded a bit more hesitant when talking with the media after Wednesday's walk-through practice. A successful practice Thursday would ease any lingering concerns.