To make way for a rookie quarterback, the Lions are parting ways with their starting kicker for most of this season.
The Lions have released Riley Patterson and added Hendon Hooker to the active roster, the club announced Tuesday.
Patterson was Detroit's kicker until he was benched last week in favor of Michael Badgley, who had spent most of the season on the practice squad. Badgley went 6-for-6 on extra points in the Lions' rout of the Broncos in his season debut.
Patterson was 35-of-37 on extra points and 15-of-17 (88.2 percent) on field goals this season. His limited range typically kept Dan Campbell from calling on him beyond 40 yards, like two weeks ago in Chicago when the Lions went for it fourth and 10 from the Bears' 35 instead of attempting a 53-yard field goal. Jared Goff was picked off on the play.
Hooker either had to be added to the 53-man roster or shut down for the season after returning to practice three weeks ago. By releasing Patterson to make room for him, the Lions can continue getting Hooker practice reps without compromising themselves on offense or defense. While Badgley isn't necessarily a strength on special teams, neither was Patterson.
Hooker is 13 months removed from tearing his ACL in the midst of a Heisman-caliber season at Tennessee. The Lions drafted him in the third round as a dual-threat project at the game's most important position. It behooves them to give him every chance to succeed, which includes keeping him involved down the stretch this season.
Had he been returned to injured reserve, Hooker wouldn't have been allowed to practice with the team again until next season. For now, Teddy Bridgewater the primary backup to Goff.