The Chiefs unexpectedly had to put kicker Harrison Butker on injured reserve on November 14 after he suffered a meniscus injury. Since then, the Chiefs have signed two other kickers, Spencer Shrader, who has also ended up on injured reserve, and Matthew Wright.

Last Sunday, Wright hit a field goal as time expired to beat the Chargers. However, Wright’s kick doinked off the left upright causing Chiefs fans to have a mini heart attack. Thankfully, Butker returned to the practice field this week.

Despite this positive development, special teams coordinator Dave Toub shared some unfortunate news with the media on Thursday. Toub said, “If Harrison is back, he’s back…It’s going to be a little bit before he’s 100%, maybe 2-3 weeks….We’ve got to get him back out on that horse.”

After Wright almost missed the game-winning kick, many fans would like Butker back this week. Nevertheless, having a two-to-three-week timetable for Butker’s return is a positive thing.

This timetable puts Butker on track to return before the playoffs, which is good for two reasons. First off, returning before the playoff means Butker gets to knock off any rust he may have. While it’s not like Butker didn’t play before his injury getting back into the swing of things before the playoffs is important.

Additionally, Butker’s return will likely ensure fans won’t have to hold their breath on game-winning kicks. Even though any kicker can miss a kick at any time, Butker has been almost automatic on high-leverage kicks throughout his career.

Butker’s eventual return to the lineup is exactly the news Chiefs fans needed after last Sunday.