Which KC Chiefs players will benefit most from first-round bye?

Kicker Harrison Butker

Oddly enough, one of the most injured Chiefs players this season has been Harrison Butker.

He was a frequent name on the Chiefs’ injury report earlier this season, mainly with a nagging ankle injury. He had to be carted off in Week 1 and did not return until Week 6. He was one of two Chiefs players to be injured against the Arizona Cardinals, due to some suspect conditions according to head coach Andy Reid.

"“It was a little loose. That’s what happens sometimes when you re-sod,” Reid said postgame. “It’s part of the (Harrison) Butker injury and the (Trent) McDuffie injury, and that’s unfortunate. The turf picked up, and I would tell you that did have something to do with it. If it didn’t, I’d tell you that, too. It’s not an excuse by any means. But you all see it when you watch the tape.”"

Fans can go back and watch the tape and see how that early-season injury has hampered Butker’s 2022 campaign. His 75% field-goal percentage and 18 field-goal attempts are both career lows. Butker has only been 100% on extra-point attempts in his career, but his 92.7% in 2022 is dangerously low compared to his career low. Chiefs fans already had gripes about Butker entering the 2022 season, but his performance has certainly been a letdown.

Butker appeared on the Chiefs’ injury report again ahead of Week 18 with back spasms. Now, I am not an NFL player, but I know that a back injury will keep me down for days, even a week. Butker still played against the Las Vegas Raiders and had one of his best games in 2022. It instilled some confidence, but Butker’s recent injuries nag fans’ minds like they are nagging him. A week off will hopefully let the ankle and back heal more and bring Butker back to 100% when the Chiefs need him the most.