What’s Next For The Bills After Moving Tyler Bass To IR?

Along with the Friday injury report was news that one of the Buffalo Bills' special teams veterans would be placed on IR.

The Bills made a move earlier this week that might have been more important than most people thought. They signed a kicker to their practice squad.

Why did the Bills sign a kicker?

It's not the first time they've done it with Tyler Bass on the team, but this time it will be incredibly useful. Previously, they were signing kickers to bring in competition for Bass in times when he was struggling on the field. This is not the case this year. As Bills fans know, Bass has been dealing with a pelvic injury for most of the preseason. He was able to get into one of the final preseason games and got a couple of kicks in, but unfortunately will need some more time. Today, the Bills placed Bass on Injured Reserve.

Is Bass done for the season?

In the past, the rule was that when a player was put on IR, their season was over. That's not necessarily the case anymore. The IR designation only keeps players out for a minimum of 4 games. Then when the team believes they're ready to come off of IR, they get a 21-day window to practice with the team. If they are not activated to the active roster within that time, they remain on season-ending IR.

Who will kick for the Bills?

The kicker that the Bills signed just this week is a 41-year-old former Detroit Lions and Arizona Cardinals kicker named Matt Prater. He's been kicking in the league since 2007. A torn meniscus ended his career in Arizona.

He will have his first chance to show what he's got coming up on Sunday night at Highmark Stadium against the Baltimore Ravens.