Aug 15, 2013; Cleveland, OH, USA; Detroit Lions kicker Havard Rugland (3) during a preseason game against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

There was a lot of talk at roster cut time if the Detroit Lions would keep Håvard Rugland, AKA Kickalicious, on their practice squad. While keeping a kicker would be highly unsual, and likely unprecedented, there is an exception in the collective bargaining agreement that seems to allow for an additional practice squad player who is an international player.

According to reports out of Norway, the Lions tried to keep Rugland as an international practice squad player but were rejected by the league. Apparently the league said the rule was made with NFL Europe in mind, but was no longer in practice because NFL Europe was shut down.

Rugland hasn’t given up on his NFL dream. He said in the interview that based on his performance and the feedback he received while in the United States he feels he still has a good shot at the NFL in the future. He is back in Norway now and plans to keep working out with some friends who have turned out to be decent placeholders. He also indicated that he is high on the Green Bay Packers’ list if they should have a need for a kicker during the season.

(Big tip of the cap to @FightNightatJoe for this one)