Denver Broncos release kicker Matt Prater

Denver Broncos kicker Matt Prater was suspended earlier in the season but he was played out of his position by his replacement Brandon McManus

The Denver Broncos are releasing kicker Matt Prater on Friday before he is reinstated into the league following a suspension for DUI earlier this season.

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Kicker Brandon McManus was acquired from the New York Giants to serve as Prater’s temporary replacement, but his solid work and cheap salary has turned him into Prater’s permanent replacement.

Broncos releasing K Matt Prater, who's coming off 4-game suspension, per source. Brandon McManus wins Denver kicking job.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 3, 2014

Mike Klis from the Denver Post opined that there was a chance the Denver Broncos release or some how move on from Matt Prater before he returns next week.

"Still, McManus is young (23) and cheap (rookie minimum $420,000), while Prater, 30, is the Broncos’ longest-tenured player and well compensated at $2.12 million for the final 12 weeks of the season."

There was good reason to believe that Prater would be kept though, as he was solid in the clutch and one of the best kickers in football.

"But Prater has made countless field goals under pressure, and from long distance, while McManus remains untested. If this is McManus’ final week with the Broncos, he probably won’t stay unemployed for long."

McManus won’t be unemployed at all, as the Broncos have taken a good decision and converted it into a cost cutting move to allow McManus to replace Prater in Denver.

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