Matt Prater's Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings

The Arizona Cardinals are opening kicker Matt Prater's (knee) 21-day practice window to return from Injured Reserve on Wednesday, according to head coach Jonathan Gannon. Prater had surgery in October to fix the meniscus in his left knee and will be back on the practice field for the first time since Week 6. Given the 40-year-old veteran's long absence, there's no guarantee that he will return to game action this Sunday in Carolina versus the Panthers. If the Cardinals like what they see from Prater in practice this week, though, they'll have to activate him from IR by Saturday if they want him as their placekicker this weekend. Chad Ryland has filled in for Prater the last 10 games and has made 22 of his 26 field-goal attempts and all 18 of his extra-point tries. Prater will be a risky fantasy play if he returns, while Ryland should be considered a streaming option in deeper leagues if Prater is held out.

Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon still is holding out hope that kicker Matt Prater (knee) can return from Injured Reserve this season. Prater has been on IR since undergoing surgery to fix the meniscus in his left knee back in October, missing the team's last nine games. The 40-year-old veteran placekicker hasn't had his 21-day practice window opened yet, though, to return from IR, but there are still four games remaining in the regular season. He's unlikely to be available this weekend when the team takes on the New England Patriots, but Prater's return could come in Week 16 against the Carolina Panthers. Until/if Prater is able to return down the stretch, Chad Ryland will continue to kick for the Cardinals. Before his knee injury, Prater hit all six of his field-goal tries and all 10 of his extra points in four games.

The Arizona Cardinals placed kicker Matt Prater (knee) and defensive lineman Bilal Nichols (neck) on Injured Reserve on Tuesday, meaning both players will have to miss at least the next four games. Nichols will miss the rest of the season. To replace Prater on the active 53-man roster, the Cardinals elevated Chad Ryland from the practice squad. In the last two games with Prater out, Ryland has gone 5-for-6 on field goals and made both of his extra points. Prater made all six of his field goals and went 10-for-10 on extra points in his four games, surpassing the career 1,800-point plateau. The earliest Prater will be eligible to return from IR will be after the team's Week 11 bye for a Week 12 contest against the division-rival Seattle Seahawks. Ryland will be a poor streaming option for fantasy managers in Week 7 against the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday night.