Harrison Butker

Butker missed a 54-yard field goal late in the fourth quarter. It would have made the game a one-point deficit instead of four for the Chiefs’ final drive. Kansas City was ultimately rebuffed at the goal line and lost the game. Having missed a field goal in all but one game this year, we suspect Andy Reid will throw in the towel on Butker after today’s performance. Justin Tucker, recently signed to the Chiefs’ practice squad, will likely get called up for Week 9.

“He went 10-for-10 yesterday, with Justin Tucker right there. ... We’re going to keep working it,” Toub continued. It sounds like despite signing Tucker, Butker will continue to kick for the Chiefs. At least this week, anyway.

Butker bounced back from his Week 14 miss against the Texans in a close loss. He’s missed just four of his 28 field goal attempts through Week 15. Butker’s fantasy prospects might be affected by Patrick Mahomes’ potential absence after Mahomes went down with a knee injury near the end of KC’s loss to the Bolts.

He connected from 36 yards and made his only point after attempt, missing from 43 yards at the end of the second quarter when his kick hit off the right upright. That missed field goal contributed to the Chiefs being shut out in the first half for only the third time in quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ career, making the failed conversion slightly more meaningful.

Matthew Wright was waived in a corresponding move. The Chiefs designated Butker, who missed a month with a knee injury, to return from injured reserve earlier this week and deemed him good to go after logging three limited practices. He has plenty of time to shake off the rust before the playoffs, but may be difficult to trust in his first game back in the fantasy playoffs.

Butker practiced in a limited capacity all week, logging his first practice repetitions since undergoing a mid-season meniscus trim in his left knee. Given the Chiefs’ Super Bowl aspirations, the team is unlikely to let him suit up this week if his re-injury risk is significant. If he plays, it stands to reason that he is good to go.

Butker underwent a meniscus trim on his left knee in November, as he was sent to injured reserve. The talented kicker could play as early as Week 15, however, he understandably makes for a slightly less certain K1 than fantasy managers are used to. It would be unsurprising to see him turn in an up-and-down performance in his first game back.