Kickers and punters have one primary job: to kick the ball. Of course, each position is much more nuanced than that, with plenty of strategic elements to the kicking game. This includes the Detroit Lions' decision to have kicker Jake Bates kick the ball out of bounds during their 44-22 win over the Washington Commanders.
When a kicker or punter kicks the ball, they don't just walk off the field, job well done. They still have to be ready for when a play goes wrong. For Bates and punter Jack Fox, that has happened more than they would like.