The Buffalo Bills have received positive news regarding their special teams ahead of their pivotal game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Kicker Matt Prater, who appeared on the injury report with a right calf issue that limited him in practice all week, has been cleared to play without any restrictions.
This development is a significant relief for the Bills, as their usual starter, Tyler Bass, remains on Injured Reserve. Prater, the 41-year-old veteran who secured the Bills’ Week 1 comeback victory with a game-winning field goal, is an essential part of the team’s lineup. His availability was in question after Head Coach Sean McDermott noted the calf injury “popped up” during a separate specialists’ drill earlier in the week.
McDermott also provided a comprehensive update on the team’s overall injury status. While Prater is good to go, the Bills will be without several key players: defensive tackle DaQuan Jones, wide receivers Josh Palmer and Gabe Davis, and linebacker Shaq Thompson have all been ruled out for the game. In a more encouraging sign, linebackers Matt Milano and Terrel Bernard, who are crucial to the defense, are set to return after practicing fully.
When asked about Tyler Bass’s potential return from IR, McDermott stated, “No, no,” indicating that Prater will continue handling the kicking duties for the foreseeable future.
A High-Stakes AFC Showdown
Sunday’s matchup is one of the most anticipated of the NFL season, featuring a rematch of recent playoff classics between two AFC powerhouses. The outcome has major implications for the conference standings. The Bills currently hold a half-game lead over the Chiefs, but both teams are looking up at the leaders in their own divisions.
Beyond the immediate standings, the winner of this game will secure the critical head-to-head tiebreaker. This advantage could ultimately decide which team hosts a potential playoff matchup between the two later in the season, adding an extra layer of importance to an already monumental contest.
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