When he takes the field in his debut with the Buffalo Bills Sunday evening, newly signed kicker Matt Prater will rewrite a page in the team’s history book.
With kicker Tyler Bass recently placed on Injured Reserve, the Bills elevated Prater from the practice squad for Sunday’s season-opening showdown with the Baltimore Ravens. The 2013 All-Pro kicker was brought to Orchard Park, NY by the Bills on Thursday with the anticipation that Bass’ injury may require some time away from the game. Now, with it confirmed
that Bass won’t kick for at least a month, Prater will be in uniform, and when he makes his first kick, he will officially become the oldest player in Buffalo Bills history. Prater will be 41 years, 28 days on Sunday. That’s almost three years older than quarterback Bill Munson was when he put on a Bills uniform at 38 years and 85 days back in 1979.
The Bills have made a move toward a younger roster over the past two seasons. But who, besides Munson, have been the oldest rostered players in team history? A couple of familiar names are near the top of that list:
- RB Thurman Thomas – 38 years
- DE Bruce Smith – 38
- QB Jim Kelly – 36 years
- WR Andre Reed – 36
So, who are the oldest players currently on the Bills roster? Obviously, Prater is at the top of that list, but no one else is even close to him, nor to the then-ages of the Hall of Famers above:
- K Matt Prater – 41 years
- DT DaQuan Jones – 33 years
- LS Reid Ferguson – 31 years
- LT Dion Dawkins – 31 years
- QB Mitch Trubisky – 30 years
- CB Tre’Davious White – 30 years
Of course, if Jordan Poyer were to get the nod at any time this season and find himself on a game day roster, he would jump above all but Prater. Poyer is currently 34 years old.
For now, let’s hope that Prater’s decision not to hang up the cleats benefits the Bills. Buffalo will count on Prater being reliable over the next four weeks.
