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Matt Prater named to the 2017 Pro Bowl

With Matt Bryant busy preparing for the Super Bowl, the Lions will send their one and only Pro Bowl participant to Orlando.

By Jeremy Reisman
Minnesota Vikings v Detroit Lions Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

The Detroit Lions, despite being one of six playoff teams in the NFC, had no players originally named to the Pro Bowl—not to mention being entirely absent from the All-Pro first and second teams as well. However, Matt Prater, Matthew Stafford, Darius Slay and Sam Martin were named as alternatives for the all-star game in Orlando.

Now that Falcons kicker Matt Bryant will be playing in the Super Bowl, he will need a replacement on the roster. The Lions announced on Monday that Prater will be that replacement this upcoming Sunday:

Prater’s 2016 season wasn’t necessarily defined by accuracy. His field goal percentage was 86.1 percent, which is nothing to scoff at, but ranks him only 10th in the NFL. However, Prater was only one of five kickers in NFL history to finish perfect from 50+ yards with more than seven attempts, and his six game-winning or game-tying kicks were all perfect.

This will be Prater’s second Pro Bowl in his career, but his first a Detroit Lion.

The Pro Bowl will be played in Orlando, FL on Sunday Jan. 29th at 8 p.m. ET. It will be televised on ESPN.

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