"Cardinals Add K Chad Ryland, Place K Matt Prater and DL Bilal Nichols on Injured Reserve"

The Arizona Cardinals put kicker Matt Prater and defensive lineman Bilal Nichols on the injured reserve list and elevated kicker Chad Ryland from the practice squad to the active roster on Tuesday.

Prater, who was absent for the last two games due to a left knee problem, and Nichols, who experienced a stinger for the second consecutive game on Sunday in a 34-13 defeat to the Green Bay Packers, will be out of action for at least four games. According to ESPN, Nichols is expected to miss the rest of the season.

Ryland, who turned 25 on Tuesday, has filled in for Prater in the last two games and has a 5-for-6 record on field-goal attempts with a longest of 42 yards. He has also made both extra points. In Arizona's 24-23 victory over the San Francisco 49ers on October 6, he kicked three field goals, including a 35-yarder with 1:37 left in regulation.

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In 2023, he appeared in 17 games for the New England Patriots and converted 16 of 25 field goals (64 percent) with a longest of 56 yards. He also made 24 of 25 extra-point attempts.

Prater, 40, is a two-time Pro Bowl selection who has been playing since 2007. He has played for the Atlanta Falcons (2007), Denver Broncos (2007-13), Detroit Lions (2014-20), and Cardinals (2021-present).

This season, Prater has played in four games and has a perfect record of 6-for-6 on field-goal attempts (with a longest of 57 yards) and 10-for-10 on extra points. Throughout his career, he has made 407 field goals (the most among active kickers) out of 487 attempts (83.6 percent) with a longest of 64 yards. He has also made 587 of 603 extra points (97.3 percent).

Nichols, 28, is in his first season with the Cardinals after signing as a free agent in March. He has recorded 10 tackles in six games (five starts).

The Chicago Bears chose Nichols in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL Draft. He has played for Chicago (2018-21), the Las Vegas Raiders (2022-23), and Arizona, and has 248 tackles, 14 sacks, 27 tackles for loss, 45 quarterback hits, one interception, and five fumble recoveries, one of which he returned for a touchdown.

In other moves on Tuesday, the Cardinals released tight end Jordan Murray and offensive lineman Austen Pleasants from the practice squad.

The Cardinals (2-4) will host the Los Angeles Chargers (3-2) on Monday night.