The Chiefs are still going to be without Harrison Butker for their Week 5 game against the Raiders, and they are on to their third kicker of the season for the game.
Butker has been hurt since Week 1. His first replacement, Matt Ammendola, played two games for the Chiefs but missed a couple of kicks — an extra point and a field goal — in Kansas City's loss to the Colts. As such, the Chiefs moved on from him.
Now, Kansas City is rolling with 26-year-old Matthew Wright as its top kicker. Wright has a couple of seasons of NFL experience and is kicking in his second game with the Chiefs.
So who is Matthew Wright and what are his kicker credentials? Here's what to know about the newest Chiefs kicker.
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Who is the Chiefs' kicker?
The Chiefs will be rolling with Matthew Wright as their new kicker in place of Matt Ammendola.
Wright, 26, first kicked in the NFL during the 2020 season. The Central Florida product appeared in three games with the Steelers as an injury replacement for Chris Boswell and made all 11 kicks (four field goals and seven extra points) with the team.
After that, Wright fought for the Lions' kicking job but couldn't win it. However, his work with the Steelers earned him a look with the Jaguars in 2021, when they needed a replacement for Josh Lambo. Wright won the job and served as Jacksonville's primary kicker during that campaign.
Wright made 21 of 24 field goals during his time with the Jaguars. He showed off a good combination of leg strength and accuracy, making 4 of 6 kicks from 50-plus yards. However, he made just 13 of 15 extra points, and that is part of what prompted the Jaguars to look elsewhere at kicker in 2022.
Now, Wright will get a chance to kick for the Chiefs and prove that he deserves another shot to be a top kicker at the NFL level. He did well in his first game with the team, making all seven of his kicks including two field goals of 32 and 44 yards.
In the event of an emergency during which Wright is injured, the Chiefs would likely turn to safety Justin Reid as their backup kicker. Reid attempted a couple of extra points with Butker out of action in Week 1; he also kicked for Kansas City at times during the preseason.
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What happened to Harrison Butker?
Butkjer suffered an ankle injury in the Chiefs' Week 1 matchup against the Cardinals.
The injury occurred in the first half when Butker slipped while kicking off for the Chiefs. He rolled his ankle awkwardly on the play, as you can see in the video below.
— lowlight heaven (@lowlightheaven) September 12, 2022
Butker had to be carted off the field and was deemed "questionable" to return. He was able to make it back onto the field to attempt a 54-yard field goal to close the second half.
However, it's noteworthy that he only took a step into the kick instead of his usual, longer wind-up. He did make the kick, which was impressive.
Harrison Butker just ONE-STEPPED a 54-yard field goal. 👀 #KohlsElite // #ChiefsKingdom
— Kohl's Kicking Camps (@KohlsKicking) September 11, 2022
pic.twitter.com/ja7MNwr3di
Despite his in-game return, Butker was unable to participate in practice ahead of the Chiefs' Week 2 "Thursday Night Football" matchup with the Chargers. He also missed Weeks 3 and 4 as a result of his ankle injury and logged just a limited practice on the Wednesday ahead of Week 4.
As such, the Chiefs have had to replace Butker. First, they gave Ammendola a chance to do it. Now, it will be Wright's job.
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Harrison Butker injury update
It's worth noting two things about Butker's injury. First, the Chiefs didn't put him on IR after Week 1. That means that the team didn't anticipate this sidelining him for four-plus games.
That said, it's worth noting that special teams coordinator Dave Toub said that Butker was "a little sore" at the Chiefs' Thursday practice ahead of Week 4.
"We’re trying to get him ready for the game [against the Buccaneers], so he’s going to listen to the trainers and whatever they say we’re going to do it," Toub said. "It’s going to come right down to the end when we have to make that decision on who is going to be up and who is going to be down."
Butker couldn't get ready for the game, as he missed Thursday and Friday's practices. Still, that Toub thought Butker had a chance to play should speak to the fact that he is improving.
However, he missed practice each day ahead of Week 5 as well, so his status for Week 6 at this point can only be considered "questionable" at best.
