Breaking news: Lions Sign a new sensational star kicker a former Raiders favorite in a blockbuster deal.
On September 17, the Detroit Lions lost to the New York Giants and their veteran kicker, Greg Joseph. However, the Lions were able to replace him with kicker Matt McCrane in just one day.
On September 18, Derrick Stuckly of Brownwood News revealed that McCrane has joined the Lions practice squad.
McCrane played in both the XFL and UFL throughout the previous two years. For the first time since January 2022, he is back in the NFL.
McCrane told Stuckly, “I’m excited for another shot at the big show.” “I am extremely grateful to the UFL for providing me with a stage on which to display my abilities.
“I’ve played for five different teams, and it’s critical to be current in this league. No matter what lies ahead, I’m appreciative of every chance.
You never know when that call will come, so it’s a grind. Well, it did today.
Throughout the 2018 season, McCrane made five appearances in regular season games for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Arizona Cardinals, and Oakland Raiders. He has since spent time on the practice teams of the Philadelphia Eagles, Cleveland Browns, and Arizona Cardinals.
McCrane has pursued his football career in the XFL and UFL over the last two seasons. In total, he converted 28 out of 36 field goals while playing kicker for the DC Defenders in 2023 and 2024.
Matt McCrane, a kicker, joins the Lions practice squad.
Following four seasons of kicking at Kansas State (2014–17), McCrane joined the Cardinals as an undrafted free agent. Although McCrane failed not make the squad out of training camp, he was given his first NFL regular season shot with the Raiders in Week 4.
McCrane converted all five of his field goal tries and all five extra points in three games against the Raiders.
Week 11 of the 2018 season saw McCrane kick for the Cardinals, while Week 17 saw him kick for the Steelers. In the Steelers’ season finale, McCrane took Chris Boswell’s spot due to an injury.
McCrane made his only attempt at an extra point and finished 3-for-3 on field goals in a game Pittsburgh had to win to advance to the postseason.
But McCrane hasn’t been given another opportunity to play in an NFL regular season game since. He was a member of the Browns in 2020 and the Cardinals and Eagles in 2021. On the practice squad for each of the three spells.
McCrane demonstrated a very strong leg during his two years of success in the XFL and UFL. He has made 6 of 8 field goals from 50 yards or more over the last two springs.
Joseph will be replaced on Detroit’s practice squad by McCrane. Joseph was added by New York to the active roster on September 17, which allowed the Giants to acquire him from the Lions.
