Harrison Butker DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

According to the team, Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker (knee) was activated off the injured reserve and does not carry an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Cleveland Browns. Butker has been sidelined for the past four games with a foot injury but is slated to return to action this weekend. In a corresponding move, the Chiefs have released kicker Matthew Wright. Wright has operated as the starting kicker over the past two weeks and went 8-for-9 on field goal attempts. Before his injury, Butker carried a 90.0% FG rate and was 21-for-22 on extra points. Fantasy managers should view the 29-year-old as a solid K1 for the remainder of the season. This weekend, he will face the Browns, who have allowed the 16th-most fantasy points to opposing kickers.

The Kansas City Chiefs are releasing kicker Matthew Wright on Saturday, according to a source. It means that Harrison Butker (knee) is expected to be activated from Injured Reserve to make his return in Week 15 against the Cleveland Browns. Even though Wright was the NFL Special Teams Player of the Week in Week 14 -- the 28-year-old made eight of his nine field goals in his two games with KC -- he will now be back on the open market with four games to go in the regular season. Butker was listed as questionable for this Sunday's game against the Browns, but it's looking like he'll be active as KC's placekicker. Fantasy managers that haven't been happy with their kicking position should take a look at adding Butker if he's available on the waiver wire, even though he'll be a bit more risky in his first game back since Week 10.

Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker (knee) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Cleveland Browns. Butker was able to participate in practice all week as a limited participant and could snap his four-game absence. Butker is the injured reserve following their Week 10 victory over the Denver Broncos with a meniscus tear. While sidelined, the Chiefs have turned to Matthew Wright to operate as the top kicker during Weeks 13 and 14. Over these two games, Wright has gone 8-for-9 on attempts and 2-for-2 on extra points. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor Butker's status over the weekend, as Butker would be a bona fide K1 if he returns to action. If he can play, he would face the Browns, who have allowed the 16th-most PPR points to opposing kickers this season. If not, Wright would draw his third-straight start.

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said that kicker Harrison Butker (knee) will return to practice on Wednesday, but his status for the Week 15 contest on Sunday against the Cleveland Browns is still up in the air. Butker's 21-day practice window to return from Injured Reserve is being opened, but the Chiefs don't necessarily have to activate him for this weekend. The 29-year-old has missed four games after having surgery on his left meniscus. His status for this weekend will depend on how he looks in practices this week. In Butker's absence, the Chiefs have used Spencer Shrader (hamstring), who is also on IR, and Matthew Wright, who was clutch in the Week 14 win over the division-rival Los Angeles Chargers by making all four of his field goals and an extra point. Whoever is the Chiefs' kicker in Week 15 will be worth a starting lineup spot in fantasy.

According to head coach Andy Reid, Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker (knee) could return to action in Week 15. It's excellent timing for the Chiefs, who just put kicker Spencer Shrader (hamstring) on Injured Reserve and had Matthew Wright taking kicks against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 13. While Butker is still on IR and won't make an appearance for this weekend's outing against the Las Angeles Chargers, it does appear he could be able to return when he's eligible in Week 15. Fortunately, Wright and Shrader have been serviceable in the 29-year-old's stead. However, Kansas City could undoubtedly use their top leg back for the season's final stretch.