Why Matt Prater Is Dominating NFL Headlines Today — Inside the Cardinals Kicker’s Latest Viral Moment

Orchard Park, N.Y. — The Buffalo Bills have added one of the most reliable legs in NFL history, signing veteran kicker Matt Prater to the practice squad as insurance while incumbent starter Tyler Bass works back from a pelvic injury. Bass was limited throughout the week, prompting Buffalo to move quickly for the 39-year-old Prater, whose résumé includes a league-record 64-yard field goal and 386 career made kicks. The move positions Prater for what would be his 20th NFL season if he’s elevated to the active roster. Prater spent the past three years with the Arizona Cardinals, connecting on 83 percent of his attempts in 2024 despite kicking through a knee injury that eventually required surgery. Before that, he was a Pro Bowl standout for the Denver Broncos and Detroit Lions, renowned for clutch makes in adverse weather—an appealing trait for late-season games in Buffalo. Bass’ availability will be monitored daily, but coach Sean McDermott now has the flexibility to elevate Prater by 4 p.m. ET on Saturday if the starter can’t go. Under the NFL’s standard elevation rules, the Bills could call up Prater for three games before they must sign him to the 53-man roster. Beyond immediate roster insurance, the addition gives special-teams coordinator Matthew Smiley strategic options. Prater’s career 85-percent success rate from 50 yards and beyond could influence game-planning, particularly in matchups expected to hinge on field position. Prater brings postseason experience—he’s 23-for-24 on playoff kicks—and has converted 97 percent of extra points since the league moved the attempt to 33 yards in 2015. His veteran presence could also aid punter Sam Martin and long-snapper Reid Ferguson as the trio looks to sharpen timing ahead of the regular-season opener. Buffalo entered the week with just over $8 million in cap space, and a practice-squad deal for Prater is financially friendly while still giving the club proven performance if Bass’ recovery lingers. For a franchise chasing its first Super Bowl appearance since 1994, field-goal stability is more than a luxury—it’s a necessity in the razor-thin AFC race. Should Prater suit up on opening weekend, he would become only the sixth kicker in league history to log appearances with five different teams, underscoring a career defined by both longevity and late-game heroics. For now, the Bills have ensured that when games come down to a single kick, they’ll have a record-breaking option ready to trot onto the turf.