Buffalo's Week 1 kicker plan hinges on a rare roster maneuver: Matt Prater elevated from the practice squad to replace Tyler Bass for the Ravens game, while Buffalo keeps an open 53-man spot and pays Prater a one-game check. Bass’ groin/hip injuries land him on IR for four games, and Prater can be elevated only three times before activation. Buffalo enters Week 1 with 52 players, balancing cap prudence and football necessity in a high-stakes AFC tilt.

The move is money-driven and practical: avoid guaranteed salaries for vested veterans while ensuring a reliable leg for Week 1. If Prater stumbles, Bass could still be out for a stretch, but the Bills will have to navigate a tricky path as Week 2 approaches. Beane’s roster-tightrope underscores how every slot matters in an opener against Baltimore, with fantasy implications for kickers and ST depth alike.