Chiefs kicker out for key matchup against Bills

The Kansas City Chiefs will be without another key figure as they put their undefeated record on the line Sunday against the Buffalo Bills.

Kicker Harrison Butker was placed on injured reserve with a left knee injury, ruling him out for at least the next four games. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Butker was having surgery to trim his meniscus, with a return expected toward the end of the regular season and playoffs.

Butker posted about his surgery on social media Friday, saying it ‘went great!’

Kansas City signed Spencer Shrader off the New York Jets’ practice squad to take over kicking duties, the Chiefs said.

Butker, whose career 89.21% field goal conversion rate ranks him third in league history, has made 18 of 20 field goal attempts this season, with his lone misses coming from beyond 50 yards.

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An undrafted free agent out of Notre Dame, Shrader made all three of his extra-point attempts for the Indianapolis Colts in Week 1 before being waived. He signed to the Jets’ practice squad on Oct. 30 and was elevated to the active roster for last week’s 31-6 loss to the Arizona Cardinals, in which he kicked two field goals.

The Chiefs, who are already without top receivers Rashee Rice and Marquise ‘Hollywood’ Brown, are navigating additional key injuries ahead of their matchup with the Bills. Running back Isiah Pacheco has practiced in a limited capacity after having his 21-day return window activated, but coach Andy Reid said he is not expected to play Sunday as he continues to recover from a fractured fibula that has sidelined him since Week 2. Wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, however, could be on track to play after being a full participant on Thursday despite his hamstring injury.

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