Team news: Arizona Cardinals | Page 52

Broncos K Matt Prater (right calf, probable) took full practice reps on Friday after being limited earlier in the week and is probable for Week 5. Keep him in your lineups and consider the crisis averted.

Broncos K Matt Prater (right calf) was added to the injury report Thursday after taking limited practice reps. We'll see how Prater's calf responds on Friday. Owners should be ready to make a move if it looks like he might not kick. The Broncos play in the late round of games on Sunday.

Denver QB Peyton Manning's arrival could be the best thing that ever happened to wide receiver Eric Decker. The same likely will be true for fellow wideout Demaryius Thomas, but it might take a bit longer for the Manning-to-Thomas connection to bear fruit.

Where Decker began working out with Manning a week after the four-time MVP signed a five-year contract, Thomas was a month behind, held back because he'd just had pins removed from his surgically repaired pinkie finger.

At times during practice, the timing has been balky between Manning and Thomas, and after Thomas rounded off multiple pass routes in the preseason, there remains lingering concern over the precision of his cuts.

Manning and Thomas will become a potent threat, but expect Decker to be the No. 1 option for now.

The offseason work is one reason we moved Decker ahead of Thomas in our preseason rankings. Thomas has more physical ability, but Manning has proved in the past (with Marvin Harrison and Austin Collie) that he can be productive with receivers who may not have the prototypical WR1 body.

While stationed in Indianapolis for the Colts’ training camp, ESPN.com’s John Clayton says not to be “modest” about QB Andrew Luck’s potential.

“As pass-catchers, the Colts should be better than anticipated, and Luck is as billed. He has the look of being the most complete quarterback talent to enter in the NFL in decades. He makes all the throws. He's mature beyond his years. He's the real deal. And the Colts have weapons. Peyton Manning entered the NFL in 1998 with Marshall Faulk at halfback, Marvin Harrison at receiver, Ken Dilger at tight end and Adam Meadows and Tarik Glenn at tackles. He threw for 3,739 yards in a season the Colts went 3-13. To give Luck dependable targets, the Colts retained Reggie Wayne and Austin Collie. Third-round selection T.Y. Hilton is in development. The surprise in camp is fifth-year veteran Donnie Avery, who could emerge as a deep threat.”

The Broncos have signed kicker Matt Prater to a four-year contract, according to a tweet from team executive vice president John Elway Monday morning.

"Matt has developed into one of the NFL's elite kickers and is a big part of our team," Elway tweeted.

The Broncos' strong-legged kicker missed the team's entire offseason program in protest of his $2.654 million franchise tag, which was tendered in lieu of a long-term contract.

Prater is the most accurate kicker in NFL history for field goals of 50 yards or more, having hit 12 of 16.

The Indianapolis Colts and representatives of 11-year veteran and five-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Reggie Wayne agreed to a three-year deal Tuesday night, only hours after his contract lapsed and he became a free agent.

With the Colts keeping Wayne that would provide Luck with a steady hand and savvy head working on the outside. Wayne 33, is second to Marvin Harrison in most Colts receiving categories.

It's a curious decision to sign the much older of the team's two free agent WRs, but the Colts apparently didn't want to leave Andrew Luck without a solid WR to throw to (other than Austin Collie). Wayne is on the downswing in his career and the franchise may be regretting this contract in a year or two.

The Indianapolis Colts have released running back Javarris James.

A month into his second season with the Dallas Cowboys, WR Dez Bryant has become more than a well-intentioned kid who keeps getting into trouble. He's becoming more of a professional.

He understands what's required from him and what the consequences are if he doesn't live up to those requirements. He's showing up on time for meetings and practices. He knows his playbook and runs crisp routes.

Management had enough faith to clear a starting job for him by releasing Roy Williams. They also took the calculated risk of bringing in WR coach Jimmy Robinson as Bryant's new mentor. The risk was that Bryant had become close with his position coach, Ray Sherman. The calculation was that coach Jason Garrett was sure Robinson was up to the challenge.

It helps that Robinson has an impressive list of receivers who have thrived under his tutelage: Marvin Harrison, Andre Rison, Amani Toomer, Ike Hilliard, Joe Horn and the guys from Green Bay who won the Super Bowl last year, with Robinson as part of that staff.

Indeed, Robinson and Bryant have hit it off well. It's evident in the way Bryant tries to absorb every piece of advice Robinson shares with him on the practice field.

Indy Star beat writer Phillip Wilson's take on the Colts RB situation:

Delone Carter is the type of power runner the Colts need. As far as I’m concerned, the RBs are Joseph Addai and Carter. Then you have to choose between Donald Brown, Javarris James, Darren Evans or Chad Spann.

Indianapolis Colts running back Javarris James was arrested last night by police in Fort Myers, Fl and charged with misdemeanor charges of marijuana possession.