Chiefs

Chiefs’ Harrison Butker to miss time with knee injury. Here’s who’ll replace him

Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker will miss 3-4 weeks after hurting his left knee, The Star has confirmed.

NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero first reported Butker’s injury.

As a result, according to Pelissero, the Chiefs will be signing Spencer Shrader, a player on the New York Jets’ practice squad, to fill in while Butker is out.

Butker was a surprise addition to KC’s injury report Thursday, logging a limited practice with his knee ailment. He was a full participant in the Chiefs’ workout Wednesday.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that Butker was “expected to have surgery to trim his meniscus” in his left knee, but it’s anticipated that he will be able to return for the end of the regular season and playoffs.

Kansas City Chiefs place kicker Harrison Butker arrives for the game against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024, at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Kansas City Chiefs place kicker Harrison Butker arrives for the game against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024, at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com

Butker, in his eighth season with the Chiefs, has had a strong 2024 campaign, making 18 of 20 field goals and 21 of 22 extra points. He also has performed well in the clutch; that included a 51-yard game-winning field goal as time expired to defeat the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 2.

Shrader, 25, has played in two games this season, one for the Indianapolis Colts and the other for the Jets. He went 2-for-2 on field goals and 3-for-3 on point-afters in those contests.

KC has one of its toughest games coming up this weekend, traveling to face the Buffalo Bills at 3:25 p.m. Central on Sunday.

The Star’s Sam McDowell contributed to this report.

Jesse Newell
The Kansas City Star
Jesse Newell covered the Chiefs for The Star until August 2025. He won an EPPY for best sports blog and previously was named top beat writer in his circulation by AP’s Sports Editors. His interest in sports analytics comes from his math teacher father, who handed out rulers to Trick-or-Treaters each year.
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