The Kansas City Chiefs made a roster move in their special teams department. Kansas City has been unlucky regarding injuries; even their kickers haven’t been safe from misfortune.
The Chiefs are down to their third-place kicker since losing Harrison Butker to a meniscus tear in November. Last week, back-up Spencer Shrader suffered a knee injury leading to Kansas City signing Matthew Wright, who took over the kicking duties against the Raiders on Black Friday.
During his presser on Wednesday, head coach Andy Reid told reporters Wright is officially on the active roster and Shrader is going to season-ending injured reserve.
Shrader played just one game for Kansas City before suffering a knee injury during the team’s day off on Monday after the loss to Buffalo.
Four days later, Wright enters and makes 4 of 5 field goals and one PAT attempt, scoring 13 points in Kansas City’s 19-17 win over Las Vegas.
When asked about Harrison Butker’s rehab, Reid said it may be a couple more weeks before the Chiefs’ starting leg hits the field again.
“Yeah, [Harrison Butker] is doing good. We’ll just see how it goes here in the next week or two, but he is making good progress, so that’s a plus.”
Sometimes it can be catastrophic after a team loses its starting kicker. But having two solid performances from two backups days after signing them is almost unheard of. Reid credits general manager Brett Veach for always having an eye for hidden talent.
“I always start with Brett [Veach] and his crew of bringing the guys in,” said Reid.
“One of the guys (Matthew Wright) we knew, so we had confidence there, but you’re into your third kicker, so it’s a little different. I think it was good for Spencer (Shrader) to get in there and do this thing. He was productive before he got hurt. That was great for him and whatever lies in the future for him. Likewise, (Matthew) Wright, he’ll go this weekend, so if he just continues doing what he’s done a nice job for us.”
