Who Should I Start? Matt Prater or Spencer Shrader

Saturday, November 15, 2:24 PM

Buffalo Bills kicker Matt Prater did not attempt a field goal in his team's surprising 13-point performance in their Week 10 loss to the Miami Dolphins. Prater has now gone two consecutive weeks without a made field goal, as he missed both of his attempts in Buffalo's Week 9 win over the Kansas City Chiefs. Still, the 41-year-old has generally been solid this season, knocking in 12 of 14 field goal attempts and 26 of 27 extra-point tries across nine games. He should have some chances to get back on the board when the Bills host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 11. Through 10 weeks, both Buffalo and Tampa Bay rank in the top 11 in the NFL in per-game scoring. One possible concern for Prater's fantasy outlook in Week 11 is the potential for windy weather in Buffalo, so managers should monitor the forecast on Sunday. Still, Prater profiles as a low-end starting kicker option in Week 11.

Monday, October 6, 11:21 PM

Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen said that kicker Spencer Shrader (knee) tore his ACL and MCL in his right knee in the Week 5 win over the Las Vegas Raiders and will miss the rest of the season, according to Stephen Holder of ESPN.com. Shrader was injured when a defender crashed into his knee following a kick on Sunday. It's a tough break for the 26-year-old and the 4-1 Colts, as Shrader had missed just one of his 14 field-goal tries while making all 14 of his extra-point attempts in five games before his season-ending injury. With no current kicker other than Shrader on the active roster or practice squad, the Colts will be working out free-agent kickers this week as they head into a Week 6 meeting with the visiting Arizona Cardinals. Fantasy managers who had been using Shrader at the position will have to hit the waiver wire for a replacement.