Harrison Butker’s full return to practice bodes well for his chances to officially rejoin the team for Week 6 against the Buffalo Bills.
The Kansas City Chiefs have had a very difficult time attempting to replace kicker Harrison Butker over the last several weeks. From Matt Ammendola to Matthew Wright, the team has weathered some special teams miscues in Butker’s absence. Fortunately, it looks like they’re ready to get Butker back in his regular role given his participation in practice before Week 6.
The Chiefs are poised to host the Buffalo Bills at Arrowhead on Sunday for what could be the biggest game of the NFL season, and that means it’s an ideal time to get Butker back in the fold. Special teams play can be the biggest difference in a close game like this one is expected to be, and Butker’s power and accuracy can turn into a major asset for the Chiefs in such situations.
Butker originally injured his left ankle, which is his plant foot, early in the first quarter of the first game of the season, a win over the Arizona Cardinals in Glendale, AZ. From there, Butker would sit while the Chiefs went with Justin Reid in that same game and then Ammendola and Wright. The former cost the Chiefs a win over the Indianapolis Colts, although he had tons of help, and Wright missed two shorter field goals in Week 5. The Chiefs were fortunate to escape with a win.
Butker, who is 27 years old, has only missed two field goals under 40 yards in his five-plus years in the NFL. He’s converted 90% of his field goal attempts overall and has the power to hit from 50+ yards with relative ease.