KC Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker will be game-time decision for Week 4, Andy Reid says

The Chiefs might need a Plan B at the kicker position for a third straight game.

Chiefs coach Andy Reid said the availability of kicker Harrison Butker (left-ankle sprain) is a game-time decision for Sunday night’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.

“We’ll just see how he does here,” Reid said.

The Chiefs appear to remain hopeful for Butker’s return this week, but he put in a limited practice Wednesday before missing all on-field work both Thursday and Friday.

With Butker’s status uncertain, the Chiefs could elevate Matthew Wright from their practice squad at some point Saturday for insurance at the kicker position.

Wright joined the practice squad earlier in the week following a successful tryout to replace Matt Ammendola. The Chiefs on Monday terminated Ammendola’s practice squad contract after he missed an extra point and field goal in the Chiefs’ 20-17 loss to the Indianapolis Colts in Week 3.

Chiefs special teams coordinator Dave Toub on Thursday expressed a level of confidence in Wright after observing the tryout.

“Matt did a real good job in his workout,” Toub said.

The 26-year-old Wright entered the league in 2019 as an undrafted free agent with the Pittsburgh Steelers. During his NFL career, he has spent time with the Steelers, Detroit Lions and Jacksonville Jaguars. Wright has converted 25 of 28 career field-goal attempts.

Butker originally hurt his ankle in the first half of the Chiefs’ season opener against the Arizona Cardinals. He briefly left the game before returning to drill a 54-yard field goal and handle extra points. Safety Justin Reid became the emergency kicker against the Cardinals, converting one of two extra-point attempts and assuming responsibility for kickoffs.

Ammendola, whom the Chiefs signed in the wake of Butker’s injury, handled kicking duties in Weeks 2 and 3. Now it could be Wright’s turn.

In other injury-related news, wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling (abdomen) returned to practice Friday after not working out with the team Thursday. Running back Ronald Jones (illness) also returned to work after missing practice Wednesday and Thursday.

Reid said defensive end Joshua Kaindoh did not practice Friday because of an illness.

The Chiefs later designated Butker, Valdes-Scantling, who was limited Wednesday and Friday, and Kaindoh as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Buccaneers.

Defensive end Mike Danna (calf) is out for a second straight game.