Broncos cut ties with Matt Prater, who's about to come off 4-game suspension

FILE - In this Aug. 23, 2014, file photo, Denver Broncos kicker Matt Prater (5) boots the ball during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Houston Texans in Denver. The Broncos have cut ties with Prater, Friday, Oct. 3, 2014, who's about to come off his four-game suspension. In a statement, GM John Elway said releasing Prater was "a very difficult football decision." (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey, File) (The Associated Press)

FILE - In this Jan. 30, 2014, file photo, Denver Broncos kicker Matt Prater talks with reporters during a news conference in Jersey City, N.J. The Broncos have cut ties with Prater, Friday, Oct. 3, 2014, who's about to come off his four-game suspension. In a statement, GM John Elway said releasing Prater was "a very difficult football decision." (AP Photo/File) (The Associated Press)

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. – The Denver Broncos have cut ties with Matt Prater, who's about to come off his four-game suspension.

First-year kicker Brandon McManus has turned his temp job into a full-time one.

In a statement, GM John Elway said releasing Prater was "a very difficult football decision."

He added that McManus "has earned the opportunity to continue kicking for our team with how well he's played to start the season. He has a very strong leg and we have confidence in him on both field goals and kickoffs."

Prater appeared in 96 regular-season games for Denver from 2007-13, connecting on 141 of 170 (.829) field goal attempts and 259 of 261 (.992) extra point attempts for 682 total points. He registered 262 touchbacks on 497 kickoffs (.527) for the Broncos while posting eight special-teams tackles.

Last year, he kicked an NFL record 64-yard field goal against Tennessee.

He was suspended for drinking alcohol, a violation of terms of the NFL's drug policy, which Prater found himself under after a DUI arrest earlier in his career.

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