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

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

Nov 23, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Washington Commanders place kicker Joey Slye (6) warms up before the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Washington Commanders at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Report: K Joey Slye reaches deal with Patriots

Kicker Joey Slye agreed to terms on a contract with the New England Patriots, ESPN reported Thursday.

Slye, who was released by the Jacksonville Jaguars on Tuesday, is expected to provide competition for Chad Ryland in New England.

Ryland, 24, made just 64 percent of his field-goal attempts (16 of 25) during his rookie season for the Patriots. He was selected by the Patriots in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft.

Slye didn’t spend long in Jacksonville, as he signed with the club on March 18.

Slye, 28, converted 19 of 24 field goals and 32 of 35 extra points in 17 games for the Washington Commanders last season.

He has made 82.3 percent of his field goals and just 88.5 percent of his PATs across five seasons with four teams.

–Field Level Media