In a surprising development, Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker underwent surgery on Friday to repair the meniscus in his left, non-kicking knee. Despite the setback, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid expressed optimism that Butker would return later this season after a recovery period of at least four weeks. In the meantime, the Chiefs have signed Spencer Shrader from the New York Jets’ practice squad to fill in for Butker during his absence.
Butker’s Injury and Recovery Timeline
The injury to Butker’s left knee, which isn’t directly related to his kicking motion, is a tough blow for the Chiefs’ special teams. Despite the surgery, Reid remains hopeful that Butker—who has been one of the league’s most accurate kickers in recent years—will be able to return to action later in the season.
“It’s not ideal, but we’ll get him back as soon as we can,” Reid said after practice. “We’re hopeful he’ll be ready to contribute later this season.”
Butker has been a cornerstone of the Chiefs’ special teams unit since joining the team in 2017, and he holds the franchise record for the longest field goal in team history—a 62-yard bomb against the Buffalo Bills in 2022. This season, he has been lights-out, making 18 of 20 field goal attempts, including a clutch 51-yarder to seal a dramatic win over the Cincinnati Bengals.
Reid praised Butker’s contributions to the team, calling him “phenomenal” and “arguably going to be a Hall of Fame kicker going forward.”
Shrader Steps In as Temporary Replacement
With Butker sidelined, the Chiefs quickly moved to bring in Spencer Shrader, who has kicked in a limited capacity for both Indianapolis and New York over the past two seasons. Shrader has appeared in two NFL games, going a perfect 3-for-3 on extra point attempts with the Indianapolis Colts and hitting 2-of-2 field goals for the Jets during a game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Reid, who was unfamiliar with Shrader prior to his signing, is optimistic about the young kicker’s potential. “He’s a young guy, so his resume isn’t long, but the ones he’s done, he’s done a good job with,” Reid noted. “He’s got a very strong leg and has shown the ability to be consistent when called upon.”
Shrader, who played college football at South Florida and Notre Dame, is expected to handle all kicking duties in Butker’s absence, including field goals and extra points, starting with the Chiefs’ upcoming showdown against the Buffalo Bills.
Other Injury Updates: Pacheco, Omenihu, and Smith-Schuster
As the Chiefs gear up for their critical Week 10 matchup against the Buffalo Bills, several other key players are recovering from injuries, though they are not expected to return for this game.
– Running back Isiah Pacheco, who underwent ankle surgery, has made significant strides in his recovery and participated fully in practice. However, Reid confirmed that Pacheco would not play against Buffalo but could be ready for the following week’s game in Carolina.
– Pass rusher Charles Omenihu, recovering from a torn ACL, also completed his first week of practice without issue. Like Pacheco, Omenihu will not suit up for the Bills game but could be in the lineup soon after.
– Wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, who has been sidelined for nearly a month with a hamstring injury, was another positive note for the Chiefs. Reid mentioned that Smith-Schuster had a solid week of practice and is expected to return to action against the Bills. Prior to his injury, Smith-Schuster had been an integral part of the Chiefs’ offense, posting seven catches for 130 yards in a win over the New Orleans Saints.
Chiefs’ Focus: Buffalo Showdown
The Kansas City Chiefs (9-0) are undefeated heading into one of the most anticipated games of the season against the Buffalo Bills (8-2). With the AFC’s top playoff spot on the line, the Chiefs will need to rely on a mix of established stars and new contributors, including Spencer Shrader in the kicking game.
While Butker’s absence is significant, the Chiefs have shown time and again that they can overcome adversity, whether it’s on offense, defense, or special teams. With Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and a strong defense leading the way, Kansas City will look to continue their dominance and stay perfect on the season—regardless of who’s kicking the ball.
The matchup against the Bills is set to be an early-season playoff preview, and the Chiefs will need to execute on all fronts if they hope to remain the AFC’s top contender.
