Chiefs Make Decision At Kicker Following Harrison Butker's Injury

11/14/2024 05:08 PM

For the first time since the 2022 regular season, the Kansas City Chiefs won't have Harrison Butker at their disposal. The three-time Super Bowl champion is expected to miss at least three weeks of action due to injury. 

NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported Thursday that Butker could end up on injured reserve due to a left knee injury. The veteran kicker has made 18 of 20 field goal attempts this season. He has also converted 21 of 22 extra point attempts. When it comes to being reliable, there aren't many kickers on his level. After all, he has made 89.2 percent of his field goal attempts since entering the league in 2017.

With Butker out for at least the next few weeks, the Chiefs need another kicker to step up in his absence. They're hoping they found the right replacement in Spencer Shrader. 

It was reported just moments ago that Shrader has been signed off the New York Jets' practice squad. He'll start at kicker for the Chiefs this Sunday when they take on the Buffalo Bills. 

Shrader kicked for the Jets last Sunday when they lost to the Arizona Cardinals. In the first quarter, he connected on a 25-yard field goal. He then made a 45-yard field goal in the second quarter. 

Shrader started his NFL career this past April with the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent. After being waived by them in August, he returned for their Week 1 matchup against the Houston Texans and made all three of his extra point attempts. Two weeks after he was released on Oct. 16, he made his way over to New York. 

At the collegiate level, Shrader made 28 of 41 field goal attempts while at South Florida. He then transferred to Notre Dame for the 2023 season and made 15 of 22 attempts. 

We'll find out on Sunday if Shrader has what it takes to deliver in high-pressure situations. 

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