The Kansas City Chiefs will be without one of the National Football League's (NFL) top kickers for the foreseeable future as Harrison Butker is expected to be placed on injured reserve due to a knee injury. Butker, who has been a reliable presence for the Chiefs for years, is set to undergo a procedure to address a torn meniscus in his left knee, as reported by CBS Sports NFL insider Jonathan Jones.
Butker's injury and expected recovery
If placed on injured reserve, Butker will be sidelined for at least four games. The procedure to trim his torn meniscus is expected to keep him out of action for a significant period. Butker, a three-time Super Bowl champion, has been a crucial part of the Chiefs' special teams unit.
This season, he has made 18 of 20 field goals and 21 of 22 extra points. His accuracy has been exceptional, especially from inside 50 yards, where he has yet to miss. Butker has also converted two of four kicks from beyond 50 yards.
Butker's ability to consistently deliver under pressure has been a cornerstone of his career. Over the years, he has maintained a field goal accuracy rate of more than 88% in every season except one. His absence will be a significant blow to the Chiefs' kicking game as they head into the latter part of the season.
Chiefs sign Spencer Shrader from Jets' practice squad
In light of Butker’s injury, the Chiefs have moved quickly to secure a replacement, signing kicker Spencer Shrader off the New York Jets practice squad, according to ESPN. Shrader, who has been with multiple NFL teams since going undrafted in the 2024 NFL Draft, will now step in to fill Butker's role for the time being.
Shrader has seen limited action this season, appearing in two games for the Jets. He was perfect on both field goal attempts and made all three of his extra-point tries. His most recent appearance was last week against the Arizona Cardinals, where he successfully converted field goals from 25 and 45 yards.
Shrader's path to the NFL has been unconventional. After going undrafted in 2024, he signed with the Indianapolis Colts but was waived and later re-signed to their practice squad. He was elevated to the Colts' active roster for the season opener when starter Matt Gay went down with an injury. Shrader was released by the Colts in October and subsequently signed to the Jets' practice squad.
Now, he gets another opportunity with the Chiefs, a team that has relied heavily on special teams success during their recent championship runs. While Shrader will have big shoes to fill in replacing Butker, he has shown promise during his limited opportunities.
Chiefs look ahead without Butker
The loss of Harrison Butker is a significant setback for the Chiefs as they push for playoff positioning. Butker's absence could be felt in tight games where field goals make a difference, and his veteran experience has been invaluable. While Spencer Shrader steps in as a temporary replacement, the Chiefs will hope for a swift recovery for Butker as they continue their quest for another Super Bowl title.
