Kicker Matt Prater has been released, Executive Vice President of Football Operations and General Manager John Elway announced Friday.
"Parting ways with Matt Prater—the longest-tenured player on our roster—was a very difficult football decision," Elway said. "On behalf of our entire organization, I want to thank Matt for his seven seasons with the Broncos and wish him well going forward."
Prater started his Broncos career after being signed from Miami's practice squad in December of 2007 and he appeared in 96 regular-season games for Denver from 2007 to 2013, hitting about 83 percent of his field goal attempts and all but two of 261 extra point attempts.
The Broncos now move forward with Brandon McManus at kicker, who has impressed Elway and the team after being acquired in a trade with the New York Giants on Aug. 26.
Equipped with a strong leg, McManus has made all three of his field goal attempts and all eight extra point attempts through three games, and he's recorded 14 touchbacks on 16 kickoffs.
"Brandon McManus has earned the opportunity to continue kicking for our team with how well he's played to start the season," Elway said. "He has a very strong leg and we have confidence in him on both field goals and kickoffs."
