Matthew Wright said one of the best parts about coming back to kick for the Kansas City Chiefs last week was already knowing some guys from his previous stint in 2022. That included injured kicker Harrison Butker, long snapper James Winchester and special teams coordinator Dave Toub.<\/p>\n
And one of them, at least, welcomed Wright back with a bit of ribbing. \u201cSomebody made a joke about trying to break the (team) record again,\u201d Wright said Wednesday in the Chiefs\u2019 locker room with a smile. \u201cI was like, \u2018Once we get into December, a 63-yard field goal in that stadium is pretty tough.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
OK yes, that dream might be lofty … even if Wright already accomplished it once before. During his two-game stretch with the Chiefs in 2022 (while filling in for the injured Butker), Wright drilled a 59-yard field goal, good enough then for the Chiefs\u2019 all-time record.<\/p>\n
The very next week, Butker returned and knocked through a 62-yarder, meaning Wright\u2019s record stood for only six days. \u201cIt was just funny. He should have it,\u201d Wright said of the record. \u201cIt\u2019s his.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wright still will have another opportunity to help the Chiefs win this week, filling in a second straight game for Butker. Chiefs coach Andy Reid announced Wednesday the team had placed kicker Spencer Shrader \u2014 he\u2019d replaced Butker two earlier games in November \u2014 on injured reserve with a hamstring injury.<\/p>\n
That clears the way for Wright to kick in Sunday\u2019s home game against the Los Angeles Chargers \u2014 an important note for Chiefs fans and fantasy football players alike. \u201cIf he just continues doing what he\u2019s been doing … he\u2019s done a nice job for us,\u201d Reid said of Wright on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
Wright, who joined the Chiefs in the middle of last week, performed well on short notice. He made 4 of 5 field goals, which was critical in the KC\u2019s 19-17 home victory over the Las Vegas Raiders.<\/p>\n
\u201cJust tried to get as ready for the game as possible,\u201d Wright said. \u201cIt\u2019s nice coming back when you know people in the building. Just helps with familiarity and just some confidence going into the game.\u201d Wright\u2019s only miss was a long shot. He left a 59-yard attempt short just before halftime, though on Wednesday, he wished he\u2019d given that one a better chance to go through.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnytime it starts getting colder out, the ball just doesn\u2019t travel as well,\u201d Wright said. \u201cSo you\u2019ve just got to try to figure out ways to \u2014 especially on those longer kicks \u2014 try to get them there.\u201d In all likelihood, Wright won\u2019t have an extended tenure with the Chiefs. Butker is eligible to come off the injured list with a knee injury next week, and though Reid didn\u2019t give a specific timeline Wednesday, he did say Butker was \u201cdoing good\u201d with his rehab.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll just see how it goes here in the next week or two,\u201d Reid said. \u201cBut he is making good progress. That\u2019s a plus.\u201d Wright, 28, also kicked one game for the San Francisco 49ers this season, going 3-for-3 on field goals and making all three extra-point attempts. In five pro seasons, Wright has played for five NFL teams, including two spells with the Chiefs and Pittsburgh Steelers.<\/p>\n
For his part, Wright promised not to overthink things in whatever time he has left with the Chiefs.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo matter what\u2019s going on, I just try to be in my own little bubble \u2014 focus on what I do. So stick to my routine,\u201d Wright said. \u201cTry to make my kicks, and then just focus on the next kick.\u201d<\/p>\n
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