Tag: Bilal Nichols

Aug 25, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Arizona Cardinals kicker Matt Prater (5) kicks a field goal in the second quarter against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Cardinals place K Matt Prater, DL Bilal Nichols on IR, promote K Chad Ryland

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Arizona Cardinals placed kicker Matt Prater and defensive lineman Bilal Nichols on injured reserve and promoted kicker Chad Ryland from the practice squad to the active roster on Tuesday.

Prater, who missed the last two games with a left knee issue, and Nichols, who suffered a stinger for the second consecutive game on Sunday in a 34-13 loss to the host Green Bay Packers, will be sidelined at least four games. Nichols is expected to be out for the remainder of the season, ESPN reported.

Ryland, who turned 25 on Tuesday, has filled in for Prater for the last two games and is 5-for-6 on field-goal attempts with a long of 42, and has made both extra points. He booted three field goals, including a 35-yarder with 1:37 left in regulation, in Arizona’s 24-23 road win over the San Francisco 49ers on Oct. 6.

He played in 17 games for the New England Patriots in 2023 and was 16 of 25 (64 percent) on field goals with a long of 56, and was 24 of 25 on extra-point attempts.

Prater, 40, is a two-time Pro Bowl selection in a career that begin in 2007. He has played for the Atlanta Falcons (2007), Denver Broncos (2007-13), Detroit Lions (2014-20) and Cardinals (2021-present).

This season, Prater played in four games and was 6-for-6 on field-goal attempts (a long of 57 yards) and 10-for-10 on extra points. For his career, he has made 407 (the most of active kickers) of 487 field-goal attempts (83.6 percent) with a long of 64, and 587 of 603 extra points (97.3).

Nichols, 28, is in his first season with Arizona after signing as a free agent in March. He has 10 tackles in six games (five starts).

The Chicago Bears selected Nichols in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL Draft. He has played for Chicago (2018-21), the Las Vegas Raiders (2022-23) and Arizona and has 248 tackles, 14 sacks, 27 tackles for loss, 45 quarterback hits, one interception and five fumble recoveries, one of which he returned for a touchdown.

In other moves Tuesday, the Cardinals released tight end Jordan Murray and offensive lineman Austen Pleasants from the practice squad.

The Cardinals (2-4) host the Los Angeles Chargers (3-2) on Monday night.

–Field Level Media

Dec 25, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Bilal Nichols (91) celebrates after recovering a fumble to score against the Kansas City Chiefs during the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Cardinals adding DT Bilal Nichols, CB Sean Murphy-Bunting to defense

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Arizona Cardinals are boosting their pass rush with the signing of free-agent defensive tackle Bilal Nichols to a three-year, $21 million contract that includes $14.4 guaranteed, ESPN reported Monday.

The Cardinals also are re-signing offensive lineman Trystan Colon to a one-year, $1.7 million deal with $450,000 guaranteed and worth up to $2 million with incentives, NFL Network reported.

Arizona and former Tennessee Titans cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting have agreed to terms which were not immediately disclosed, NFL Network also reported.

Nichols, 27, started all 34 games the past two seasons with the Las Vegas Raiders. He had 48 tackles with four tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and one fumble return for a touchdown in a victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in 2023.

He played on 54 percent of the defensive snaps, compared to 71 percent in 2022 when he totaled 44 tackles, four tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks.

The Chicago Bears selected Nichols in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL Draft out of Delaware. He has totaled 238 tackles, 14 sacks, 26 tackles for loss and 44 quarterback hits in 94 games (83 starts) for the Bears (2018-21) and Raiders.

Colon, who will be 26 on March 23, spent his first season in Arizona in 2023 after three years with the Baltimore Ravens (2020-22). He started four of the 14 games he played with the Cardinals last season and has played 34 career games (eight starts).

Murphy-Bunting, 26, was a second-round selection of Tampa Bay in 2019 out of Central Michigan. He played for the Buccaneers from 2019-22 before joining Tennessee as a free agent in March 2023.

He started all 14 games he played for the Titans, making 57 tackles and two interceptions. He has 245 tackles and eight interceptions with one returned for a touchdown in 67 career games (50 starts).

–Field Level Media