Not all of the injuries suffered Sunday in Green Bay by the Cardinals were minor.
Defensive lineman Bilal Nichols, who suffered a stinger for a second straight game against the Packers, was placed on Injured Reserve on Tuesday. Also going on IR was veteran kicker Matt Prater, who had missed the past two games with a left knee issue.
Both players are eligible to come back, but they must miss a minimum of four games. Coach Jonathan Gannon doesn’t talk again until Thursday.
ESPN reported Nichols is out for the season.
To replace Prater, the Cardinals promoted Chad Ryland to the roster from the practice squad. Ryland has been the kicker for the last two games, converting 5-of-6 field goals — including the game-winner in San Francisco — and both of his extra-point tries.
Prater made all six of his field goals and was 10-for-10 on extra points in his four games, surpassing the career 1,800-point plateau in the process. The 40-year-old Prater is scheduled to be a free agent after the season.
The moves leave the Cardinals with an open spot on the 53-man roster. They currently have both defensive lineman Darius Robinson and offensive lineman Christian Jones eligible to return from IR as soon as the team chooses.
The Cardinals also released from the practice squad tight end Jordan Murray and offensive lineman Austen Pleasants.
The loss of Nichols is another blow to the defensive line. The team signed he and Justin Jones as veteran free agents to upgrade the unit. Jones is already on IR and out for the season after he tore his triceps muscle. Robinson is close to returning but hasn’t as of yet.
