Harrison Butker Injury Update: Chiefs kicker placed on IR and will undergo knee surgery
Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker is expected to miss a month of NFL action following a knee injury and reportedly requiring surgery.
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Harrison Butker to miss a month of football (Image via IMAGO)
Harrison Butker will miss three to four weeks of football. The Kansas City Chiefs placed their All-Pro kicker on injured reserve after he suffered a meniscus tear in the knee of his non-kicking leg and will need surgery to fix it.
It’s a massive loss right before a crucial week 11 fixture against the Buffalo Bills. Butker has so often been the savior for the misfiring Chiefs offense, keeping their unbeaten season alive.
The three-time Super Bowl winner converted 90% of field goals (missing just two from 20 tries), earning 75 points for the Chiefs. On Thursday, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport announced that the Chiefs placed Butker on injured reserve because of a torn meniscus in his knee, which will require surgery to fix. This will keep him out of action for three to four weeks.
Chiefs K Harrison Butker is expected to have surgery to trim his meniscus in his left knee, per source. That’s why he’s headed to IR, though he’ll be back for the home stretch and playoffs.
Ian Rapoport wrote on X
#Chiefs K Harrison Butker is expected to have surgery to trim his meniscus in his left knee, per source. That's why he's headed to IR, though he'll be back for the home stretch and playoffs.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 14, 2024
Former NFL punter Drew Butler pointed out the possible reason behind Butker’s injury. Butler spotted a change in technique that puts more emphasis on the standing leg, and the follow-through forces Butker to fall down after every kick.
Harrison Butker has collapsed on his left knee following through EVERY kick this season.
— Drew Butler (@DrewButler) November 14, 2024
It is a change in his technique that really caught my attention, and unfortunately it’s not surprising his left knee needs a meniscus procedure.
Hope he gets healthy. https://t.co/DsSVrKmFuz pic.twitter.com/1szLcRzQea
Chiefs didn’t waste time finding a replacement for injured Harrison Butker
Replacing the league’s top kicker isn’t an easy feat. Regardless, general manager Brett Veach decided to take a chance on the Jets kicker Spencer Shrader.
The Jets signed him during open tryouts a couple of weeks ago after they benched veteran Greg Zuerlien. Even though the Jets lost two games since then, Shrader scored all four of his field goal tries and had a 100% two-point conversion rate (7/7). His best was a 56-yard belter in week ten.
Ironically, the Jets never signed Shrader to their 53-man roster. It was possible because they placed him in the practice squad and they elevated him before last week’s game against the Arizona Cardinals. They sent him straight back to the PS after the game ended.
You might be wondering why Shrader was available. The Jets didn't sign him to the active roster for last week's game; they elevated him from the PS and he reverted to the PS on Monday. #Jets
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) November 14, 2024
As per ESPN’s Rich Cimini, the Chiefs snatched Shrader moments after Jets special team coordinator Brant Boyer praised the young kicker for settling in quickly during the day. He will now be the primary kicker, or perhaps one of the kickers in line to replace Harrison Butker in the Chiefs lineup. There’s always the chance of adding another one for added insurance.
Butker’s absence is a massive setback for the Chiefs. They were already 2.5 points underdogs against the Bills, which may rise after this.
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Ishan Misra
(3186 Articles Published)