Around the NFL

Detroit Lions sign Matt Prater to one-year deal

Published: Oct 07, 2014 at 01:33 PM

Marc Sessler

The Detroit Lions finally have themselves a reliable kicker.

The team on Tuesday signed former Denver Broncos kicker Matt Prater after he beat out free agent Jay Feely for the job, NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported, per a source informed of the deal. The club later confirmed that Prater signed a one-year pact.

The Lions released Alex Henery on Monday after he went an ugly 1 of 5 over two games since joining the team following his August release by the Eagles. Lions kickers are a disastrous 1 of 9 overall this season on kicks of 30-plus yards.

Prater was released by the Broncos last week on the heels of a four-game suspension for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy. With his ban out of the way, he'll start right away for Detroit.

Prater, 30, earned a Pro Bowl nod in 2013 and has been one of the NFL's most effective kickers over the past few seasons. The former Denver star has one of the league's more powerful and accurate legs, so it's no surprise to see him find a new gig.

The signing turns a burning weakness for the 3-2 Lions into a legitimate strength.

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