The Denver Broncos are coming off a bye week and readying themselves for the undefeated Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, but they found time to make a roster move. The Broncos released suspended kicker Matt Prater, ending his seven-year career with the team, according to Jeff Legwold of ESPN. Prater was serving a four-game suspension for violating the league's substance abuse policy.
NFL roundup: Matt Prater cut, Geno Smith and J.J. Watt fined, and more
Friday afternoon has brought plenty of news, including a few lighter wallets, a player on the move and injuries galore.
Justin Edmonds
By releasing Prater, the Broncos are sticking with kicker Brandon McManus going forward. Acquired this offseason from the New York Giants, McManus has been perfect on three field goal attempts this season, albeit the longest being 24 yards.
Legwold reports that the move was motivated by the Broncos' salary cap situation, which is complicated after this season. Many high-profile players are eligible for free agency, including receivers Wes Welker and Demaryius Thomas, defensive tackle Terrance Knighton, corner Chris Harris, tackle Orlando Franklin, and tight end Julius Thomas. Cutting Prater saves roughly $3 million toward the 2015 cap.
Smith, Watt fined
New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith was fined on Friday for $12,000 after making an obscene gesture at fans following Sunday's game against the Detroit Lions. Smith yelled an obscenity at a fan, which was caught on film at MetLife Stadium, something Smith regrets, per Jane McManus.
“I’m aware that my actions [were] not right, so I am subject to a fine,” Smith said earlier this week. “Whatever the ramifications will be, I will accept it.”
Meanwhile, Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt took a $16,537 fine for roughing E.J. Manuel of the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, according to Sports Illustrated. Watt was penalized twice during the contest or hitting Manuel too low, bringing on the financial penalty.
The San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs have a pivotal Week 5 matchup on Sunday, and both teams have major injuries. On Friday, the Chiefs announced safety Eric Berry will miss his third consecutive game with an ankle injury, while the 49ers have listed tight end Vernon Davis and right tackle Anthony Davis as questionable with back and knee/ankle injuries respectively.
San Francisco is already without nose tackle Glenn Dorsey, who is on the injured reserve/designated to return list with a biceps injury, NaVorro Bowman, who is on the physically unable to perform list while recovering from a torn ACL, and Aldon Smith, who is serving a nine-game suspension for being a repeat offender of the league's personal conduct policy. The Chiefs are sans Derrick Johnson, Joe McKnight and Mike DeVito, all out for the year with torn Achilles. Offensive lineman Jeff Allen (elbow) and linebacker Joe Mays (wrist) are also down.
Johnson might sit for Lions
The Detroit Lions are leading the NFC North with a 3-1 mark, but they might be facing a Sunday without their best player. Wide receiver Calvin Johnson is questionable going into the weekend with an ankle injury that he has been battling for a majority of the season. On Friday, coach Jim Caldwell stated there is a possibility Johnson will sit out against the Buffalo Bills.
“That possibility always exists, just kind of depends on how one progresses during the course of the week. There are some times when they move forward enough where you feel that they won’t have any significant setbacks and other times when you don’t feel that way. You have to wait until the end of the week and react accordingly.”
Johnson has 21 catches for 341 yards this season, but only mustered two receptions and 12 yards last Sunday against the Jets.
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