KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – Several injuries in recent weeks have led to a carousel at kicker for the Kansas City Chiefs.
“It's been — it's definitely been an adventure,” Chiefs special teams coordinator Dave Toub said as Kansas City prepares for its second week with its third kicker of the season, Matthew Wright.
“I mean, a lot of credit goes to our long snapper (James Winchester) and our starter, Matt Araiza,” Toub continued. “Find those guys, spend the time and figure out exactly how the kicker wants the catches, because it’s different for every kicker. He did a really good job with that. That says a lot about them and their professionalism.
Kansas City's kicking situation is generally one of the best in the league, with star kicker Harrison Butker holding one of the top three kicking percentages in league history. Unfortunately for the Chiefs, Butker is on injured reserve following surgery to repair a meniscus injury in his left knee.
“He's doing well,” head coach Andy Reid said Wednesday when asked about Butker's recovery progress. Butker is eligible to return from injured reserve for Kansas City's Week 15 game against the Cleveland Browns on December 15. “We'll see how it goes here in the next week or two, but he's making good progress, so that's a plus. .”
Kansas City's operation on baskets was crowned with success, with shots and shots taken. Toub said Araiza's success as a starter has been significant given his lack of varsity reps in that department. Araiza served as both a punter and placekicker while playing at San Diego State.
“Obviously he’s a quick learner,” Toub said. “Butker has trained him really well and he’s able to adapt to these guys. He's just a good football player.
Last week, Matthew Wright served as Kansas City's kicker following a hamstring injury to Spencer Shrader, who had been left off the New York Jets' practice squad two weeks prior. Shrader made a game-winning field goal to help the Chiefs beat the Carolina Panthers two weeks ago.
He was added to injured reserve this week, meaning Wright will likely serve as the Chiefs' kicker until Butker returns.
Wright was 4-for-5 on field goal attempts in Friday's 19-17 win over the Las Vegas Raiders, and his only miss came on a 59-yard field goal attempt in the wind before mid -time. This distance was about the maximum distance Toub said he was comfortable with for Wright.
Kansas City will face the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, December 8. The 11-1 Chiefs would win another division title if they win the Sunday Night Football game with kickoff at 7:20 p.m. CT.
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