THE Kansas City ChiefsThe injuries continue to pile up in 2024, with another week of scrambling to replace another injured kicker. Special teams coordinator Dave Toub explained the challenge of adjusting to the new kickers during a press conference earlier in the week.
“It’s been – it’s definitely been an adventure. I mean, a lot of credit goes to our long snapper (James Winchester) and our starter, Matt Araiza,” Toub said. “Getting those guys, spending the time and figuring out exactly what he wants – how the kicker wants the catches because it’s different for every kicker. He’s done a really good job with that. That says a lot about them and their professionalism.”
On Black Friday, Wright replaced Spencer Shrader against the Las Vegas Raiders. Shrader had recently been placed on injured reserve alongside Butker. He connected to four out of five field goal attemptsthe only miss being well over 50 yards. The adjustments on special teams to adapt have been difficult, especially for inexperienced starter Matt Ariaza.
“He (Matt Araiza) learns quickly,” Toub said. “(Harrison) Butker has trained him really well and he’s able to take these guys and adjust. He’s just a good football player – and a good tackler too (laughs).”
After playing in two games with them during the 2022 season, Wright played in his first game with the Chiefs in Week 13. He tied a single-game career high with four field goals.
This article was originally published on Chiefs Wire: Chiefs special teams unit adjusts to third kicker this season: ‘It’s an adventure’
