Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker underwent surgery for a meniscus injury in his left, non-kicking knee and may return to play this season.

The Kansas City Chiefs have placed kicker Harrison Butker on injured reserve as he prepares for a knee procedure, although there is optimism regarding his return for the playoffs, according to a source familiar with the matter who spoke to The Associated Press on Thursday. To cover his absence for at least the next four weeks, the Chiefs are anticipated to sign Spencer Shrader from the Jets’ practice squad, as per the same source, who requested anonymity due to the team's pending announcement regarding roster changes. This Sunday, Kansas City (9-0) will face Buffalo (8-2) in a matchup that could significantly impact the AFC playoff standings. Since entering the NFL in 2017, Butker has established himself as the third-most accurate kicker in league history, with an accuracy rate of nearly 90%, surpassed only by Justin Tucker and Eddy Pineiro. This season, he has successfully converted 18 of 20 field-goal attempts, including a crucial 51-yard kick that secured a 26-25 win over the Bengals as time expired. Additionally, Butker holds the franchise record for the longest field goal, a 62-yarder against the Bills in 2022.

The 29-year-old Butker, a three-time Super Bowl champion, has garnered significant attention both on and off the field this year. In May, he delivered a controversial commencement speech at Benedictine College, a private Catholic liberal arts institution in Kansas. During his address, he suggested that many of the women graduating were likely more enthusiastic about marriage and motherhood than their academic achievements, and he criticized certain Catholic leaders for allegedly promoting harmful gender ideologies to American youth. Additionally, Butker expressed his disapproval of Pride Month, a significant period for the LGBTQ+ community, as well as President Joe Biden's position on abortion. In response to his remarks, the NFL distanced itself from Butker, stating, “His views are not those of the NFL as an organization. The NFL is steadfast in our commitment to inclusion, which only makes our league stronger.” Subsequently, Butker established a political action committee aimed at motivating Christians to support what the UPRIGHT PAC termed “traditional values.” He also announced his endorsement of Missouri Republican Senator Josh Hawley in the upcoming November election, in which the incumbent ultimately won against Democrat Lucas Kunce by a substantial margin.