Detroit Lions
David Akers - K
| Status | Active |
| Height/Weight | 5' 10"/ 200 lbs. |
| Birthday | 12/09/1974 |
| Birthplace | Lexington, KY |
| College | Louisville |
| Years played | 15 |
Lions QB Stafford is back and DT Williams is out
The Lions got a boost on offense with Matthew Stafford's return to practice but DT Corey Williams is out Sunday after knee surgery.
Lions DT Williams out 'week-to-week' after knee surgery
Lions DT Corey Williams underwent knee surgery earlier this week and will miss Sunday’s game against the Vikings, the team’s website reported.
Lions DT Fairley seeks to settle Ala. charges
An attorney for Nick Fairley asked a judge to approve a pre-trial diversion program instead of putting the player on trial facing charges of drunken-driving.
Lions place P Graham on I.R.
The Lions placed P Ben Graham on injured reserve and signed veteran P Nick Harris.
NFC North Spin cycle: Week Three
Surprise, surprise: the Vikings are tied for the division lead. We take a closer look at Minnesota in the NFC North "Spin cycle."
Schwartz open for questioning in Lions' loss
Jim Schwartz's end-of-game coaching brings up some issues with the Lions, the Titans win in spite of C.J., plus more from a wacky Week Three.
Titans get first win in wild game vs. Lions
Rob Bironas kicked a 26-yard field goal in overtime, and the Titans stopped backup quarterback Shaun Hill on fourth-and-1 to finally pull out a 44-41 win.
Key matchup: Lions run defense vs. Titans running game
Can the Lions keep Titans RB Chris Johnson in check? They have to think they can, writes PFW's Mike Wilkening in today's key matchup.
Lions place Florence on I.R. with designation to return
The Lions placed CB Drayton Florence on the injured-reserve list with the designation to return.
Lions claim CB Murphy
The Lions claimed CB Jerome Murphy off waivers from the Saints and released CB Kevin Barnes.
Lions CB Florence breaks forearm
Lions CB Drayton Florence broke his right forearm in Sunday’s loss to the 49ers.
NFC North Spin cycle: Week Two
Here is our team-by-team take on the state of the NFC North following Week Two.
Davis' two TDs help put Niners past Lions
Vernon Davis caught touchdown passes of 21 and 23 yards from Alex Smith, and San Francisco beat the Lions 27-19.
Lions' TE tandem can stress defenses
The Lions' TE tandem of Brandon Pettigrew and Tony Scheffler can be tough for defenses to deal with, the way we hear it.
Key matchup: Niners interior offensive line vs. Lions DTs
Tuesday's “Key Matchup” focuses on the Niners' interior O-line vs. the Lions DTs in this Sunday’s game in San Francisco.
PLAYER NEWS
The Detroit Lions have added Akers one day after Jason Hanson retired.|||||||
San Francisco released Akers a month ago after he slumped during the 2012 season. The six-time Pro Bowl kicker made 73 of 94 field goals over two seasons for the 49ers. He underwent double hernia surgery in February 2012 then aggravated the area during the season when he slipped on the field during practice. Akers has made 367 of 453 field goals in his career with Washington, Philadelphia and San Francisco.
Six-time Pro Bowl kicker David Akers has been released by the San Francisco 49ers after two seasons filled with record-breaking highs and incredible lows. General Manager Trent Baalke thanked Akers in a statement Wednesday, calling him a "true professional who represented himself and this organization with class." Akers appeared in all 32 regular-season games and five playoff contests the past two seasons. He connected on 73 of 94 field goal attempts and all 78 PATs.|||||||
In 2011, Akers set NFL records with 44 field goals made and 52 attempted. He also tied the league mark for the longest made when he kicked from 63 yards in last season's opener at Green Bay. But Akers made just 29 of 44 attempts last season, his lowest percentage since 1999. The 49ers even brought in Billy Cundiff to compete against Akers before the divisional-round playoff and NFC championship game.
Akers calls his struggles this season a "head scratcher" and says if the 49ers win the Super Bowl it will erase all of his 14 misses this season.|||||||
Akers missed an NFL-worst 13 field goals this season and then hit the upright on a 38-yarder in last week's NFC championship game at Atlanta. He says he feels like he is kicking the ball well and he's off by a matter of inches, which is frustrating because "an inch is a mile in our game."
Akers is keeping his job as San Francisco's starting kicker. For now, anyway.|||||||
Jim Harbaugh made the announcement after practice Thursday, two days ahead of the 49ers' NFC divisional playoff game against the Green Bay Packers (12-5) at Candlestick Park. The 49ers signed Billy Cundiff on Jan. 1 to compete with Akers, a 15-year veteran who has struggled this season while making only 29 of 42 field-goal attempts. Akers revealed last week he underwent double hernia surgery last February.
Akers and Billy Cundiff were taking their competition to be San Francisco's playoff kicker to Candlestick Park on Monday.|||||||
Coach Jim Harbaugh says there's a "good chance" both kickers will be on the roster for Saturday's NFC divisional playoff game against the Green Bay Packers, though he didn't specify whether each would be active. Harbaugh indicated "we have a leader in the clubhouse," but wouldn't say who it is.
