Harrison Butker, the Kansas City Chiefs’ standout kicker, is on the mend following surgery to repair a meniscus tear in his left knee. On Thursday, it was reported that the Chiefs had placed Butker on injured reserve, putting him out for at least four weeks. The timing is unfortunate, coming just days before the Chiefs’ critical AFC matchup with the Buffalo Bills.
Butker turned to social media on Friday to give followers an update on his condition. “The surgery went excellent! “Thank you for the prayers,” he wrote, expressing his gratitude for the support. The kicker’s estimated recuperation time indicates that he could return in Week 15, just in time for a crucial game against the Cleveland Browns. While it is reassuring to know Butker will return, his absence is still a huge setback for the Chiefs as they seek a third consecutive Super Bowl title.
In his absence, the Chiefs have signed Spencer Shrader, a rookie kicker from the New York Jets practice squad. Shrader previously spent time with the Indianapolis Colts before joining the Jets, and while he is still fresh to the NFL, he will now take over kicking duties for Kansas City. While safety Justin Reid had temporarily filled in as an emergency kicker in prior games, the Chiefs evidently felt the need to bring in a professional to cover the position while Butker recovers.
Though it is unknown when Butker suffered the injury, he played despite it in the Chiefs’ win over the Denver Broncos on Sunday. Butker, who signed a four-year, $25.6 million contract deal earlier this year, has been an integral part of the Chiefs’ Super Bowl run, scoring clutch kicks in all three wins since 2020.
Butker’s contract guarantees $17.8 million, making him the highest-paid kicker in NFL history. While his injury is sad, the Chiefs anticipate having him back in time to make a significant contribution in the playoffs. For the time being, fans and players alike are hoping for a smooth recovery as the team prepares for another postseason appearance.
