Kansas City will be employing their third kicker of the year on Friday. After primary kicker Harrison Butker got placed on injured reserve two weeks ago, the Chiefs executed some emergency procedures, signing kicker Spencer Shrader to their active roster from the Jets’ practice squad. With Shrader not expected to play this week, Kansas City will be using one of their two standard gameday practice squad elevations on kicker Matthew Wright to fill in for Butker and Shrader.
Shrader has filled in admirably since being signed, hitting all three of his field goal attempts and all six extra-point tries. He played till the end of last week, hitting a 31-yard field goal to walk off the Panthers. Following the victory, though, Shrader has been absent from team activities. Per the team’s injury report, Shrader has not practiced all week, as he’s been dealing with a hamstring injury on his kicking leg.
To replace Shrader, Wright will continue making the rounds in the NFL. Wright has made appearances for five teams in as many years during his NFL career. He rejoins a Kansas City team that saw him kick in two games in 2022, signing to their practice squad two days ago. Wright has appeared in one game this year already for the 49ers, converting three field goals and three extra points in a Week 6 win over the Seahawks.
If Shrader continues to miss time after this week, the Chiefs can continue elevating Wright for an additional two games before he reaches his limit under a single practice squad contract. By the time Wright is out of activations, though, Butker should be eligible to return from IR, granted he’s healthy enough to play. Regardless, Kansas City should have a solid plan in place to cover the kicker position over the next few weeks.
Joining Wright as the other practice squad elevation will be tight end Anthony Firkser. The veteran tight end will be appearing in his fifth game this season, appearing in four games earlier in the year for the Jets.
