The Detroit Lions have agreed to a one-year deal with former Denver Broncos’ kicker Matt Prater. Matt Prater will replace Alex Henery. The Lions signed the former Philadelphia Eagles’ kicker to replace Nate Freese.
Kicking has been an absolute nightmare for the Detroit Lions.
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It haunted them once again in Sunday’s loss to the Buffalo Bills.
Alex Henery missed kicked of 44, 47 and one from 50 that would have given the Lions a late three-point lead in the second half of their 17-14 loss (the Bills won the game on a field goal in the final seconds). Henery, the former Philadelphia Eagles was signed to replace rookie David Freese, who was just as bad.
On Monday, the Lions decided to release Henery and began the search for a new kicker, a search that included Jay Feely and former Denver Broncos’ kicker Matt Prater.
Earlier in the day, Ed Werder of ESPN.com reported the Lions were expected to sign Matt Prater.
League source: #Lions expecting to sign ex-Broncos PK Matt Prater over Jay Feely. Detroit kickers have made league-low 33 pct FG
— Ed Werder (@WerderEdESPN) October 7, 2014
Then, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reported that the Lions were indeed signing Matt Prater to a one-year deal.
Former Broncos K Matt Prater is signing a one-year deal with the Detroit Lions, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 8, 2014
Matt Prater was suspended for the first four games of the season a violation of the league’s substance-abuse policy and upon his return, the Broncos decided not to retain him.
Matt Prater is among the best kickers in the NFL. Last season, he missed just one kick, finishing the season 25-of-26.
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