Matt Prater saved the Lions’ season at the kicking position when he was signed to start in week 6 in the 2014 season.

He’ll return after signing a three-year deal worth $9 million according to Ian Rapoport, the NFL Network insider.

Prater, who had been released by the Broncos in early 2014 after a four-game suspension, proved to be just the answer for the Lions. They had gotten off to a rocky start with kickers Nate Freese (3 of 7 on field goal attempts) and Alex Henery (1 of 5) who were both released.

Prater was 21 of 26 on field goals and a perfect 21 of 21 on point-after kicks. He got stronger as the season wore on and only missed one of his last 10 attempts.

The 30-year-old kicker holds the NFL record for the longest field goal at 64 yards. He kicked it for the Broncos on Dec. 8, 2013.

Also on Friday, the Lions signed quarterback Kellen Moore to a two-year deal.

(Follow @PaulaPasche on Twitter. Order her book,  “100 Things Lions Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die’’ here. It’s also available at bookstores.)