Lions Sticking With Matt Prater, Despite Two Missed Field Goals

Lions HC Jim Caldwell told reporters after Sunday’s game that he’s not concerned about recently signed K Matt Prater, despite the fact that he missed two of his three field goal attempts against the Vikings.

“I think (with) wind like we had today, you’re going to have an issue,” Caldwell said, via the Detroit Free Press. “He kicked a 52-yarder, which was great. We have all the confidence in the world in him. I mean, the guy’s got a great track record. We feel good about him.”

Detroit is now 5-for-15 on field goal attempt and just 2-for-12 from more than 40 yards. This, of course, includes attempts from Nate Freese and Alex Henery, who have already been released.

Should Prater’s struggles continue, the Lions also tried out veterans Jay Feely and Connor Barth last week.

Denver released Prater last Friday which was just a few days after he was reinstated from his four-game suspension.

Prater, 30, was entering the third year of his four-year, $13 million contract that included $4.25 million guaranteed before he was cut loose, so there was clearly a financial incentive for the Broncos to move forward with rookie Brandon McManus. 

Last season, Prater converted 96.2 percent of his field goal attempts and was 25-26 overall.