Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker underwent surgery on Friday to address the meniscus in his left leg, which is not his kicking leg. Following practice, coach Andy Reid conveyed optimism that the two-time Super Bowl champions aim to have him back on the field later this season.
To temporarily replace Butker, the Chiefs have signed Spencer Shrader from the Jets’ practice squad for a duration of at least the next four weeks. Shrader has performed decently in his brief NFL career, converting 3 of 3 extra points while playing with the Colts against the Texans and successfully making 2 of 2 field goal attempts for the Jets against the Cardinals.
The undefeated Chiefs, boasting a record of 9-0, are set to face a critical matchup against the Buffalo Bills, who hold an 8-2 record. This encounter is crucial as both teams compete for the top seed in the AFC playoffs.
Reid shared his thoughts on Shrader, acknowledging his youth and limited experience but expressing confidence in his abilities, particularly regarding his strong leg. Shrader previously kicked at South Florida and Notre Dame during his college career, and Reid noted, “He’s done a good job with what limited opportunities he has had.”
Butker has been one of the most precise kickers in NFL history, ranking third since he joined the league in 2017, completing nearly 90% of his attempts. This season, he has made 18 out of 20 field goals, including a crucial 51-yarder that secured a narrow 26-25 win for the Chiefs against the Bengals as time ran out. Additionally, Butker set the franchise record for the longest field goal with a 62-yarder against the Bills last year.
“Listen, I mean, he’s done phenomenal. He’s a great kicker. Arguably going to be a Hall of Fame kicker going forward,” Reid remarked, while also emphasizing their expectations for Shrader.
Reid provided updates on other players’ recoveries, indicating that running back Isiah Pacheco, who is coming back from ankle surgery, and pass rusher Charles Omenihu, who is recovering from a torn ACL, successfully completed their first week of practice with the scout team. However, neither is projected to participate in the upcoming game against the Bills, although both might be available for the following match against the Panthers.
On a positive note, wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, sidelined for nearly a month due to a hamstring injury, appears to be ready for the game against Buffalo. He had an impressive performance with seven receptions for 130 yards in his last full game against New Orleans before his injury.
Reid concluded, stating, “JuJu had a good week,” highlighting the team’s readiness as they prepare for this pivotal matchup.