Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker made a dramatic return to action Sunday, drilling a franchise-record 62-yard field goal in Kansas City’s 24-20 loss to the Buffalo Bills at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Butker’s record-length field goal came just six days after Matthew Wright, who filled in for Butker during the Chiefs’ Weeks 4-5 games, reset the same record with a 59-yarder against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Wright apparently figured his turn with the record wouldn’t last long.
“After the (Raiders) game, (punter) Tommy (Townsend) told Matt, ‘You should keep that ball that you made the 59-yard field goal with, get it painted ‘Chiefs record,’” Butker said Wednesday with a chuckle. “And then Matt said ... ‘Oh, I’m not going to get that, because Butker is going to break that the next week.’”
Wright’s Nostradamus-like prediction came true in the waning seconds against Buffalo, when Butker took the field to attempt the 62-yard kick.
Butker knew it was good moments after connecting with the football, turning his back in triumph before the ball sailed through the uprights.
“I don’t do that on purpose,” Butker said. “It just kind of happens. I know it’s going to go through, and I just want to do something.”
Butker finished with two made field goals and two extra points. He missed a 51-yard field-goal attempt in the third quarter.
Sunday provided moments of joy for the veteran kicker, but he admits there were periods of frustration during his recovery time as he missed a career-high four straight games.
“It’s tough,” he said. “It was my first time missing any games due to an injury. It was a good learning experience for me, and I’ve just got to bounce back and finish the rest of the season strong.”
The Chiefs weren’t going to rush Butker back from his injury. All along, special teams coordinator Dave Toub said it was a matter of getting the swelling down in the kicker’s left ankle.
The sixth-year pro said he’s now healthy and the injury is behind him. He also said he’s thankful for the way the Chiefs handled his recovery process.
“I wanted to make sure I was able to play a whole game without getting any setbacks,” Butker said. “I was able to do that, so I was really happy with going in the game and kicking relatively well.”
