KC Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker injured in season opener vs. Cardinals; Reid fills in

The Kansas City Chiefs kicker received an injury early on in the season-opening game against the Arizona Cardinals.

On the kickoff following the Chiefs’ first touchdown, Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker slipped and injured his left ankle.

Butker left on a cart, and safety Justin Reid took over kicking duties. He made an extra point following the Chiefs’ second touchdown (a 3-yard pass from Mahomes to running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire) and then kicked off — it was a booming kickoff, too.

Reid did miss the PAT wide right on the Chiefs’ third TD, another short pass from Mahomes to Edwards-Helaire. But his kickoff afterward, his second of the game, was a Cardinals touchback.

TV sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson reported Butker’s left ankle was swollen.

Reid had kicked for the Chiefs in a preseason game against the Chicago Bears, when he said he “locked down” the backup kicker job. That came after he made an extra-point in Chicago.

There was some good news for the Chiefs.

Butker returned at the end of the second quarter when he drilled a 54-yard field goal despite clearly being in pain. He only took one step on the kick.

However, Reid handled the duties on the kickoff following the field goal.

This story was originally published September 11, 2022 at 4:19 PM.