Prater will end the year on injured reserve because of the knee issue. He went 6-for-6 on field goals and 10-for-10 on PATs in the first month of the year before the knee issue ended his season. The 40-year-old is still kicking at a high level, but this knee injury could have Prater thinking about life after football as the season comes to a close.

Prater, 40, remains on injured reserve, and the Cardinals will need to activate him shortly if he has any chance in playing in Week 18 against the 49ers. If Prater can’t go, the Cardinals will have Chad Ryland handle the kicking duties.

Prater will remain on injured reserve for at least one more week. Chad Ryland will continue to kick for the Cardinals. Facing a Carolina defense that should allow Arizona to move the ball with ease, Ryland is a solid streaming option this week.

A Wednesday LP would typically bode positively for a player’s availability but with Prater coming off of injured reserve, this places him more so in the “truly questionable” category. His Thursday and Friday participation levels are worth monitoring.