Broncos kicker Prater has eye on record book

Matt Prater is starting to make a name for himself. What the Denver Broncos’ new kicker would really like is to put his name in the record book.

After kicking a 55-yard field goal that would have been good from 70 yards Sunday, Prater said he wants the chance to beat the NFL record of 63 yards held by Tom Dempsey and the man he replaced in Denver, Jason Elam.

“I’d love to get the opportunity, especially here in Denver,” Prater said. “It would be awesome to get the opportunity to do it, and hopefully I can keep it straight.”

Hardly anybody knew about Prater when the season started.

Now, even Buccaneers coach Jon Gruden is gushing about him.

Prater was the difference in Denver’s 16-13 win over Tampa Bay, producing touchbacks on four of his five kickoffs – the other was returned only to the 19 – and booming field goals of 55, 40 and 31 yards.

“Have you ever seen a kicker kick a 55-yard field goal and make it by 25 yards?” asked Gruden. “Honest to God, why work on your kickoff return when you come here? That guy was unbelievable.”

The Broncos signed the 24-year-old kicker last December after Todd Sauerbrun wore out his welcome in Denver and they needed somebody to handle kickoffs for their last two games.

Coach Mike Shanahan saw enough of Prater’s powerful right leg that he allowed Elam, the franchise’s leader in points and games, to bolt for Atlanta in free agency.

Shanahan took a lot of heat for turning over the team’s kicking chores to a kid who had made just 1 of 4 field goals in the NFL. After all, the Broncos’ 7-9 season last year would have been much worse had it not been for Elam’s four game-winners.

But nobody’s missing Elam now thanks to Prater, who has piled up a league-high 51 points and made all four of his field goals from 50 yards or more. He has 11 touchbacks, tied for the league lead with Carolina kickoff specialist Rhys Lloyd, and made 12 of 13 field goals, including a half-dozen from 40-plus.

Reed’s injury not serious

Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Jeff Reed probably won’t miss any games because of a groin injury he sustained in a win over Jacksonville on Sunday night.

Pittsburgh is off this week, and Reed said he should be fine for the Oct. 19 game at Cincinnati.

Around the league

The NFL suspended Cincinnati Bengals reserve linebacker Darryl Blackstock for the next four games because he used a performance-enhancing substance. … New Orleans Saints starting cornerback Tracy Porter will miss the rest of his rookie season after dislocating his right wrist during Monday night’s game against Minnesota.