Titans kicker Sam Ficken hurt, questionable vs. Cardinals

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - The Tennessee Titans once again are starting a season with kicking issues after adding Sam Ficken on the injury report Friday with a right groin muscle problem.

Ficken was limited Friday. The Titans also signed kicker Michael Badgley to the practice squad, waiving offensive lineman Christian DiLauro off the squad to create a space.

The Titans initially entered training camp with Tucker McCann and Blake Haubeil competing for the kicking job. They cut Haubeil and claimed Ficken off waivers from the New York Jets on Aug. 1. McCann was kicking well when his right ankle was hit on a field goal in the preseason opener.

Ficken had been kicking so well coach Mike Vrabel said the kicker looked like his leg had gotten stronger. Now the Titans have to hope he's available Sunday for the season opener, hosting Arizona.

That's also why they signed Badgley, who has three years of NFL experience playing 34 games with the Los Angeles Chargers. He has made 52 of 65 field goal attempts and 82 of 86 extra points. His career long is 59 yards, and he's made all 30 attempts inside 40 yards.

A year ago, the Titans signed four-time Pro Bowl kicker Stephen Gostkowski on Sept. 3 and had to promote Sam Sloman from the practice squad for the regular-season finale when Gostkowski was on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Sloman kicked the winning field goal off the right upright to clinch the AFC South title.

That's after Tennessee used five kickers in 2019 when the Titans made only 8 of 18 field goals (44.4%).

Vrabel announced David Quessenberry will start at right tackle against Arizona after holding off Kendall Lamm and Ty Sambrailo. Quessenberry started six games last season as the third left tackle once Taylor Lewan, then Sambrailo went on injured reserve.

'œHe was out there consistently and did a nice job,'ť Vrabel said of Quessenberry. 'œHe has helped us function here offensively at the end of last year and now through training camp. That is a testament to him and that unit.'ť

Notes: Pro Bowl WR A.J. Brown practiced fully for a second straight day despite missing Wednesday's practice with a knee issue. WR Josh Reynolds (foot), TE Tommy Hudson (toe) and CB Chris Jackson (hamstring) are all questionable. Vrabel said LB David Long (hamstring) is out.

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