The Arizona Cardinals placed kicker Matt Prater and defensive tackle Bilal Nichols on injured reserve, the team announced on Tuesday.
Nichols is expected to miss the remainder of the 2024 season with a neck issue, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Kicker Chad Ryland signed to the active roster from the practice squad after filling in for Prater the past two games. Arizona also released tight end Jordan Murray and offensive lineman Austen Pleasants from the practice squad.
Prater has been inactive for the past two weeks with left knee soreness after he was ruled questionable going into each game.
Ryland will continue to man the reins after making 5 of 6 field-goal attempts and both extra-point attempts this season — the lone miss was a blocked kick at the San Francisco 49ers. The second-year pro spent his rookie season as the New England Patriots’ starting kicker.
Bilal Nichols expected to be out for the season
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Nichols joins fellow veteran free agent defensive line acquisition Justin Jones (triceps) on reserve, as Jones was lost for the season after Week 3.
Nichols exited Sunday’s game at the Green Bay Packers for what the team called a stinger.
On Monday, head coach Jonathan Gannon said it was too early to rule anyone out who suffered an injury on Sunday, saying, “nothing looks too crazy.”
Through six games, the lineman recorded 10 combined tackles, one tackle for loss, one quarterback hit and two missed tackles in 174 defensive snaps (45%).
Nichols signed a three-year deal with Arizona over the offseason to improve the interior defensive line and help stuff the run.
First-round pick Darius Robinson is a reinforcement for the defensive line working his way back from a calf injury that cost him at least the first six weeks of the season.
His practice window opened last week, and Gannon said on Monday the team will see how he progresses ahead of a Monday Night Football matchup with the Los Angeles Chargers at State Farm Stadium.
Arizona’s trenches have been hit hard by injuries all year, as starting offensive linemen Jonah Williams (knee) and Will Hernandez (knee) are also on injured reserve, with Hernandez done for the season and Williams’ status uncertain.
The Cardinals have an open 53-man roster spot after Tuesday’s moves.