The Kansas City Chiefs have been without kicker Harrison Butker for the previous two games due to an ankle sprain he suffered in Week 1. According to the team’s official Twitter account, he’ll miss another.
Butker practiced on Wednesday but was held out the rest of the week as the team eased him back onto the field while not reaggravating the injury. The team was hopeful they’d get their kicker back into the lineup this week when they face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday night.
However, after further evaluation, the team has decided to let Butker rest for at least another week, ruling him OUT on Saturday afternoon.
With no Butker at his disposal, special teams coach Dave Toub will look to third-year veteran Matthew Wright, who was signed to the Chiefs’ practice squad earlier this week. He and linebacker Elijah Lee will be elevated to the active roster for Sunday’s game.
Since becoming an undrafted free agent in 2019, Wright spent his first two seasons as a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers practice squad and the XFL’s Tampa Bay Vipers roster. In 2021, he caught on with the Jacksonville Jaguars, appearing in 14 regular season games and making all 14 of his field goal attempts from within 39 yards or less. He was 3 for 4 from 40-49 yards and 4 for 6 from 50-plus. Wright also made 13 of 15 PAT attempts for the Jags that year.
Wright is replacing Matt Ammendola, whose poor performance last week helped contribute to Kansas City’s first loss of the 2022 NFL season. They’re hoping for a better result out of the UCF alum on Sunday.
