Tag: Matt Prater

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

Oct 2, 2022; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Arizona Cardinals place kicker Matt Prater (5) kicks a field goal as punter Andy Lee (14) holds and Carolina Panthers cornerback CJ Henderson (24) defends in the fourth quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Matt Prater (hip) ruled out, Matt Ammendola in for Cardinals

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Arizona Cardinals kicker Matt Prater has been ruled out for this week’s game with a hip injury and Matt Ammendola will take over kicking duties against the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Cardinals signed Ammendola to the practice squad Tuesday.

Ammendola, 25, arrived after a short stint in Kansas City. He subbed in for the injured Harrison Butker in Weeks 2 and 3 but was cut by the Chiefs last week after missing a PAT and a 34-yard field goal in a Week 3 loss to Indianapolis.

Prater, 38, was unable to finish last Sunday’s win at Carolina, leading Arizona to use running back Eno Benjamin to kick off three times against the Panthers.

–Field Level Media