The Detroit Lions lost veteran kicker Greg Joseph to the New York Giants on September 17. However, the team quickly filled the vacancy by signing kicker Matt McCrane to their practice squad the very next day, as reported by Derrick Stuckly of Brownwood News on September 18.
McCrane has spent the last two years kicking in both the XFL and UFL and is now returning to the NFL for the first time since January 2022.
“I’m excited for another shot at the big show,” McCrane told Stuckly. “The UFL gave me a platform to showcase my talent, and I’m incredibly grateful for that. I’ve been with five teams, and staying relevant in this league is key. No matter what happens, I’m thankful for every opportunity. It’s a grind—you never know when the call will come, but today, it did.”
McCrane played in five NFL regular season games during the 2018 season, suiting up for the then-Oakland Raiders, Arizona Cardinals, and Pittsburgh Steelers. Since then, he’s had practice squad stints with the Cardinals, Cleveland Browns, and Philadelphia Eagles.
Over the past two spring seasons, McCrane kicked for the DC Defenders in the XFL, successfully converting 28 of 36 field goals in 2023 and 2024 combined.
After four collegiate seasons at Kansas State (2014-2017), McCrane joined the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Cardinals. Though he didn’t make the roster out of training camp, McCrane got his first regular season opportunity with the Raiders in Week 4 of the 2018 season. He appeared in three games for the Raiders, making 5 of 9 field-goal attempts and all 5 extra points.
Later that season, McCrane kicked for the Cardinals in Week 11 and for the Steelers in Week 17. In a crucial season finale for Pittsburgh, McCrane stepped in for the injured Chris Boswell, going 3-for-3 on field goals and converting his only extra-point attempt.
Despite not appearing in an NFL regular season game since 2018, McCrane has continued to showcase his abilities in spring football leagues. He notably made 6 of 8 field goals from 50 yards or more over the past two seasons.
McCrane joins the Lions practice squad, replacing Joseph after the Giants signed him to their active roster on September 17.
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