Chiefs Kicker Harrison Butker to Undergo Surgery, Miss 3-4 Weeks
Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker will undergo surgery on his left knee and is expected to miss 3-4 weeks, the team announced on Monday. Butker suffered the injury during the Chiefs’ 27-24 overtime win over the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday.
Background
Butker has been a key member of the Chiefs since joining the team in 2017. He has made 90.1% of his field goal attempts and 95.0% of his extra point attempts during his time in Kansas City. Butker was named to the Pro Bowl in 2019 and 2020.
Impact on the Chiefs
Butker’s absence will be a significant blow to the Chiefs, who are currently 2-0 and one of the favorites to win Super Bowl LVII. The Chiefs have several other kickers on their roster, but none with the experience or consistency of Butker.
Potential Replacements
The most likely candidate to replace Butker is Matt Ammendola, who was signed by the Chiefs in August. Ammendola has made 77.3% of his field goal attempts and 93.1% of his extra point attempts in his NFL career. He has also made two field goals of 50 yards or more.
Another option is rookie kicker Jake Elliott, who was signed by the Chiefs as an undrafted free agent. Elliott made 82.4% of his field goal attempts and 93.8% of his extra point attempts in college at Memphis.
Chiefs’ Outlook
Despite the loss of Butker, the Chiefs are still in a strong position. They have a high-powered offense led by quarterback Patrick Mahomes and a stout defense that has allowed just 13.5 points per game this season.
The Chiefs will need to find a reliable replacement for Butker, but they have the depth and talent to overcome this injury. They should still be considered one of the favorites to win the Super Bowl.
Additional Notes
- Butker is expected to be placed on injured reserve, which means he will miss at least three games.
- The Chiefs’ next game is on Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles.
- The Chiefs have a bye in Week 4, which will give Butker extra time to recover.