Matt Prater injury update: Will the Bills Kicker play in this week’s playoff game vs. Jaguars?

The Buffalo Bills have received a timely boost ahead of their high-stakes AFC Wild Card clash against the Jacksonville Jaguars, with veteran kicker Matt Prater trending in the right direction after a recent injury scare.

Prater, 41, had raised concerns last weekend after re-aggravating a quad issue during Buffalo’s regular-season finale against the New York Jets. With the playoffs looming, questions quickly emerged about whether the Bills could rely on their experienced kicker in a game where every point could matter.

Matt Prater returns to full practice

Those concerns eased on Thursday when Prater was listed as a full participant in practice, a strong sign that he is on track to play against Jacksonville. Earlier in the week, Bills head coach Sean McDermott had described Prater as “day-to-day,” leaving his status uncertain. However, Prater’s return to full training suggests the team is confident in his availability.



Prater himself reportedly described his Week 18 exit as “precautionary,” indicating the Bills chose to be cautious rather than risk worsening the injury before the playoffs.

Why Prater’s availability matters for Buffalo

While quarterback Josh Allen usually grabs headlines, Buffalo’s kicking situation has quietly been a major storyline this season. Prater has been filling in for the injured Tyler Bass and has delivered steady results when healthy.

In 15 games this season, Prater converted 18 of 20 field-goal attempts, missing just once from the 30-39 yard range and once from beyond 50 yards. His experience is particularly valuable in tight playoff games, where field position and late-game decisions often come down to trust in the kicking unit.



The Bills felt the impact of his absence late in the season. When Prater missed Weeks 16 and 17, Buffalo had to rely on temporary replacements and even went for multiple two-point conversions due to a lack of confidence in the kicking game. Over the season, the Bills converted just 22.2 percent of their two-point attempts, underlining how important a reliable kicker is for them.

Buffalo has added Matthew Wright to the practice squad as insurance, but the bigger concern would be an in-game setback. If Prater were to get hurt mid-game, the Bills would have limited options, which could force risky fourth-down decisions or two-point tries.



As things stand, all signs point to Matt Prater being available and ready for Sunday’s playoff showdown in Jacksonville. If he stays healthy through the weekend, Buffalo will enter the game with far more confidence in close-game situations.

In a matchup expected to be tight, Prater’s leg could end up playing a decisive role in whether the Bills move on or see their season end early.

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