The Chiefs are expected to be without kicker Harrison Butker for at least the next four games, which means Kansas City will be in an unfamiliar position on special teams.

Butker is dealing with a left meniscus injury that will require minor surgery to help clean up. He is expected to be added to injured reserve, which means he has to miss Kansas City’s next four games and will be first eligible to return in Week 15 against the Browns. 

Butker has played a big role in helping the Chiefs to their undefeated 9-0 record to begin the season. Just last week he put Kansas City up two points after hitting a 20-yard field goal with 5:57 left, and it ended up being the game-winner. Butker nailed a 51-yarder in Week 2 against Cincinnati as time expired to beat the Bengals by one. 

He is one of the better kickers in the league, especially in regard to his accuracy from distance. With Butker sidelined for a month, who is the Chiefs kicker? 

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Who is the Chiefs kicker?

Kansas City didn’t waste much time in bringing in a replacement for Butker. Strong safety Justin Reid has kicked for the team in emergency situations, but the team went with a more traditional choice. The Chiefs signed Spencer Shrader off of the New York Jets practice squad. 

New York had signed him when they held kicker tryouts to replace Greg Zuerlein, who not only struggled but was dealing with an injury of his own. Shrader did kick in one game for the Jets, making both of his field goal attempts. 

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How many teams has Spencer Shrader played for?

Shrader went undrafted in the 2024 NFL Draft. He was signed as a free agent by the Colts and even kicked for them in Week 1 after Matt Gay was forced to miss the game with an injury. He spent the early part of the season on their practice squad but was released in early October. Indy brought him back a week later, then released him for the second time in mid-October. 

Shrader impressed enough in his tryout with New York to be one of two kickers signed. He only played in one game for the team and now will get another fresh start in Kansas City. The lone difference is that the Chiefs are having a much better season, and there will likely be way more pressure on Shrader to kick well. 

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Spencer Shrader NFL stats

Shrader has played in only two games during his rookie season. The good news for Chiefs fans, though, is that he has yet to miss. 

Spencer Shrader college

Shrader was born in Indianapolis and grew up in Lithia, Fla. He played football in high school but didn’t have any offers to play in college. Shrader walked on at South Florida. He spent four years playing for the Bulls before transferring to Notre Dame for his final season in 2023.