Matthew Wright returns to provide Harrison Butker security

Oct 10, 2022; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs place kicker Matthew Wright (19) kicks a field in the second half against the Las Vegas Raiders at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: ​Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 10, 2022; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs place kicker Matthew Wright (19) kicks a field in the second half against the Las Vegas Raiders at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: ​Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

The Kansas City Chiefs have brought back Matthew Wright onto the active roster in case kicker Harrison Butker is unable to go.

The Kansas City Chiefs have been through this carousel before, shifting their way through a couple of short-term kickers in the wake of an injury to kicker Harrison Butker. After several weeks, Butker is ailing once again and the Chiefs have brought back a familiar face in Matthew Wright to be able to potentially replace him again in the regular-season finale against the Las Vegas Raiders.

The Chiefs are visiting Allegiant Stadium today to wrap up the AFC West slate, but they might be without Butker once again. Knowing that they need a win to wrap up the AFC’s top seed and a potential first-round bye, Butker’s presence could be vital there if the Raiders play the Chiefs close again. After all, Las Vegas dropped the first game of the season series by a single point and that was a game at Arrowhead.

Butker has been dealing with a back injury this week and sat out of practice on Wednesday. He was limited in practice on Thursday as well. That’s a positive trend forward at least, but the Chiefs went ahead and re-signed Wright to the team’s practice squad. From there, they elevated him for the team’s Week 18 game.

Wright has alternated between the Chiefs and Pittsburgh Steelers this season as a replacement for two AFC teams. In his first stint with Kansas City, he converted three of four field goal attempts as well as all eight extra point attempts.

Inactive player lists will be released before the Chiefs and Raiders kick off at 3:30 p.m. C.T.

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