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**Bills Sign Veteran Kicker Prater Amid Bass Injury Concerns**

**ORCHARD PARK, NY** – The Buffalo Bills bolstered their kicking depth on Thursday, signing veteran kicker Matt Prater to the practice squad, raising concerns about the availability of starting kicker Tyler Bass for Sunday’s season opener against the Baltimore Ravens.

Bass, dealing with soreness in his pelvic area, was a non-participant in Thursday’s practice, putting his status for the game in doubt. The Bills had previously held tryouts with several kickers last week, including Eddy Piñeiro, Zane Gonzalez and Greg Joseph, but chose to sign Prater this week.

Prater, 41, is an 18-year NFL veteran who has been a free agent since being released by the Arizona Cardinals in March. Throughout his career with the Falcons, Broncos, Lions, and Cardinals, he has made 407 of 487 field goal attempts (83.6%) and 587 of 603 extra points (97.3%). If Bass is unable to play, Prater is expected to be elevated from the practice squad for the game.

In a separate roster move, the Bills placed defensive tackle DeWayne Carter on injured reserve, ending his season. To fill Carter’s roster spot, the Bills signed Sam Franklin to the 53-man roster. Franklin was signed after roster cuts last week from the Carolina Panthers where he had previously played under new Bills special teams coach Chris Tabor. Franklin, a linebacker, is expected to be a key contributor on special teams.

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