Tag: Matt Araiza

Will Matt Araiza play in Super Bowl LIX? Injury updates for Chiefs punter

Kansas City #Chiefs punter Matt Araiza is dealing with an illness. Here is the latest on his status ahead of Super Bowl LIX.

On Thursday, fans in Western Missouri received the concerning news that punter Matt Araiza had been added to the Kansas City Chiefs’ injury report.

The Chiefs can’t afford to be without any special teams members for the Super Bowl.

Will Araiza be active when Kansas City faces off against the Philadelphia Eagles?

Matt Araiza injury update

Araiza was added to Kansas City’s list of injured players after he contracted an illness. Fortunately, this hasn’t slowed him down, and he has fully participated in all of the Chiefs’ practices this week, despite his illness.

How long will Matt Araiza be out?

Araiza is not expected to miss Super Bowl LIX. Fans can expect to see Araiza in action during the Chiefs’ matchup against the Eagles.

Chiefs punter depth

Kansas City does not have a backup at the punter position, so Chiefs head coach Andy Reid will have to get creative if Araiza is unable to play on Sunday.

Matt Araiza injury update: Latest news on Chiefs punter

#Chiefs punter Matt Araiza is dealing with an injury. Here is the latest.

All eyes are on the Kansas City Chiefs ahead of their championship rematch with the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX this Sunday.

Chiefs punter Matt Araiza was added to the Chiefs’ injury report on Thursday ahead of the Big Game.

Here is the latest on Araiza’s status:

Matt Araiza injury update

Araiza was added to the Chiefs’ injury report on Wednesday due to an illness. While this is bad news any way you cut it, the good thing is that it doesn’t appear serious.

Chiefs reporter Matt McMullen took to Twitter to share Andy Reid’s comment that “Everybody is healthy” ahead of Thursday’s practice.

How long will Matt Araiza be out?

Araiza fully participated in the Chiefs’ practice session on Thursday and it seems likely that he will be available on Sunday.

Friday’s injury report will give further clues as to what fans can expect from Araiza in Super Bowl LIX.

Chiefs’ punter depth

Araiza does not have a backup, so Kansas City will need to gett creative if he is unable to take the field on Sunday.

Dustin Colquitt to be Chiefs’ ‘Drum Honoree’ for AFC divisional round matchup vs. Texans

Legendary punter Dustin Colquitt will be the #Chiefs’ ‘Drum Honoree’ when Kansas City faces off against the Houston #Texans on Saturday.

Excitement is growing this week as the Kansas City Chiefs look ahead to their divisional round playoff matchup against the Houston Texans on Saturday, which will mark their first step towards completing the NFL’s first-ever Super Bowl three-peat.

This week, it was announced that legendary Chiefs punter Dustin Colquitt was will serve as Kansas City’s official ‘Drum Honoree’ during the pivotal playoff contest, which is sure to get fans at Arrowhead Stadium fired up.

Colquitt initially joined the Chiefs as a third-round selection in the 2005 NFL draft after his illustrious collegiate career at the University of Tennessee. The former Volunteer spent 14 seasons in Kansas City before bouncing around the league in the final stretch of his career.

Expect to see Colquitt’s percussive prowess on full display at some point during the game’s television broadcast, and for Chiefs punter Matt Araiza to be extra motivated to put on a playoff-worthy performance in front of Kansas City’s former boot.

Chiefs’ special teams unit adjusts to their third kicker this season: ‘It’s an adventure’

Kansas City #Chiefs’ special teams unit adjusts to their third kicker this season: ‘It’s an adventure’ | @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs’ 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 new kickers during a press conference earlier in the week.

“It’s been – it’s an adventure, really. I mean, a lot of credit goes to our long snapper (James Winchester) and our holder, Matt Araiza,” said Toub. “Getting those guys and spending the time and figuring them out exactly how he wants – how the kicker wants the holds because it’s different for each kicker. He’s done a really good job with that. It says a lot about them and their professionalism.”

On Black Friday, Wright stepped in for Spencer Shrader against the Las Vegas Raiders. Shrader had recently been placed on injured reserve alongside Butker. He connected on four of five field goal attempts, with the only miss being well over 50 yards. The adjustments on special teams to accommodate were challenging, especially for inexperienced holder Matt Ariaza.

“He’s (Matt Araiza) a quick learner,” said Toub. “(Harrison) Butker really trained him well and he’s able to take these guys and just adjust. He’s just a good football player – and a good tackler too (laughter).”

After playing two games with them in the 2022 season, Wright played his first game back with the Chiefs in Week 13. He tied a single-game career-high with four made field goals.

Chiefs Dave Toub discusses Matt Araiza’s physicality: ‘He doesn’t have to make a tackle’

Kansas City #Chiefs special teams coordinator Dave Toub discusses Matt Araiza’s physicality: ‘He doesn’t have to make a tackle’ | @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs have had plenty of unsung heroes this season, including standouts on special teams. Chiefs special teams coordinator Dave Toub spoke to the media on Thursday about the physical tackles from his punter Matt Araiza during last Friday’s game.

“We talked about this before,” said Toub. “I don’t want him down there making tackles. I’d rather have him make a big play with his leg and punt the ball high enough to where he doesn’t have to make a tackle.”

Araiza has been one of the better punters in the league in his first season with the Chiefs. The six-foot-one, 200-pound San Diego, California native isn’t afraid to make a play, collecting impressive tackles in Week 13.

“He’s a football player in his mind, and he’s going to get down there and do what he has to do. If he needs to make the tackle, he will. I mean, we know that.” said Toub. “So, I don’t want to take that edge away from him. But you know, at the same time, we got to be smart about it, too.”

According to a recent X post from teammate Drue Tranquill, the former Ray Guy Award winner could play linebacker.

Chiefs newcomer showed outstanding hustle on standout play vs. Bills

#Chiefs punter Matt Araiza showed outstanding hustle on this standout play against the #Bills in Week 11.

The Kansas City Chiefs saw their perfect season end on Sunday in a disappointing loss to the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium.

Though the Chiefs are expected to bounce back against the Carolina Panthers in Week 12, the Kansas City Star’s Jesse Newell was still fixated on the team’s performance in Buffalo this week.

In his re-watch of the Chiefs’ Week 11 loss, Newell noticed an outstanding play by punter Matt Araiza, which was a bright spot in an otherwise forgettable defeat.

Check out this video of Araiza’s incredible effort after booting a long punt, which was posted to Twitter by Newell this week:

Araiza is in his first season with Kansas City and was signed to replace two-time Super Bowl champion Tommy Townsend on Dave Toub’s special teams unit.

Though fans generally hope they don’t have to see Araiza on the field, they can look forward to more hustle plays like this when the Chiefs travel to Carolina this weekend.

Chiefs Dave Toub shares assessment of punter Matt Araiza: ‘He’s a great person’

Kansas City #Chiefs Dave Toub shares assessment of punter Matt Araiza: ‘He’s a great person’ | @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs made several adjustments in the offseason, with a significant change regarding the punter position on special teams and the departure of former Pro Bowler Tommy Townsend.

Chiefs special teams coordinator Dave Toub spoke to reporters on Monday after practice, providing his early assessment of new punter Matt Araiza ahead of Thursday’s season opener.

“He’s a great person, great guy to be around. Fit right in right away. I feel like we really haven’t missed a beat as far as operation goes, with the field goal, as that goes, and Matt (Araiza) has done a good job.” Said Toub. “He’s got to remember, he’s a rookie, and it’s going to take some time. There’s going to be some growing pains, a little bit as we go. We’re not going to ask him to be at Tommy Townsend’s level coming in the way he went out. He’s going to continue to get better as we go. We anticipate that, but I’m excited about his prospects.”

Araiza is a lefty punter who differs from Townsend’s style. As the Chiefs move forward with him heading into the start of the new season, he is seeking a fresh start in Kansas City, leaving his off-the-field issues in the past and focusing on being an efficient punter.

Chiefs Dave Toub explains not using Travis Kelce as backup long snapper vs. Lions

Kansas City #Chiefs Dave Toub explains not using Travis Kelce as backup long snapper vs. Lions | @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs have multiple players who can fill in at various positions based on their skill sets.

Chiefs special teams coordinator Dave Toub spoke with reporters on Tuesday after practice to discuss his reasoning for not going to Travis Kelce as the backup long snapper after James Winchester’s injury last Saturday.

“(Travis) Kelce is our backup long snapper, and Kelce during the regular season, I could throw him in there, and he’s dynamite, does a great job, but he was already out of the game,” said Toub. “So now we’re up to our third snapper (Noah Gray), where you really don’t work a guy, but he did a couple of snaps on Saturdays, like during the mock games during the year last year. They just threw him in.”

Noah Gray stepped in admirably during the game, receiving quick coaching on the position from Winchester, Harrison Butker, and Matt Araiza.

“Those guys took him in the back there, Jay (Winchester), (Harrison) Butker, and Matt (Araiza), those guys took them on the side; I’m still, you know, coaching the game,” said Toub. “Those guys had him in the back there and got him ready to go. And he did a great job.”

The Chiefs expect to have Winchester back in the lineup for the regular season opener on September 5th against the Ravens. Newly signed former Kansas State Wildcat Randen Plattner will fill in for Thursday’s preseason finale.

Chiefs Dave Toub explains the decision to name Matt Araiza the starting punter

Kansas City #Chiefs Dave Toub explains the decision to name Matt Araiza the starting punter | @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs moved on from punter Tommy Townsend this offseason as he signed with the Houston Texans. They signed two punters but decided not to have a competition carry into training camp.

Chiefs special teams coordinator Dave Toub spoke with reporters after Saturday’s practice, addressing the early decision to name Matt Araiza the starting punter before training camp.

“Both of those guys did a great job. Ryan Rehkow did a great job, the kid from BYU we had. It was a tough decision,” said Toub. It wasn’t really cut and dry, but in the end, Matt (Araiza) was a little more consistent day to day. Being a lefty punter, a little bit older, I think we made that choice to go with it. I didn’t want to go into this camp with two guys.”

Toub and the coaching staff wanted the punter competition settled before the start of training camp. The goal is to build reps and chemistry with kicker Harrison Butker, as the punter also serves as the primary holder during the season.

“Returners don’t normally see (lefty punters). Now everybody has a jug machine that’s able to turn into a lefty punt, but you just don’t see a lot of lefty punters in the league,” said Toub. “They don’t catch them a lot, mostly righties.”

Araiza has plenty of potential as a former All-American in college and the Ray Guy Award winner as the nation’s best collegiate punter in 2021. He was initially drafted by the Buffalo Bills in 2022.

Chiefs release P Ryan Rehkow after mandatory minicamp

Kansas City #Chiefs release P Ryan Rehkow after mandatory minicamp | @EdEastonJr

With mandatory minicamp in the rearview, the Kansas City Chiefs have decided to part ways with one of their undrafted free agents. Former BYU punter Ryan Rehkow was announced as the lone release on Thursday via the team’s transactions tracker.

The release of Rehkow was accompanied by the signing of defensive tackle Alex Gubner with training camp quickly approaching next month. Gubner, another undrafted free agent from this year’s class, earned Big Sky Defensive MVP honors last season, tallying 45 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, and three sacks at Montana. He impressed during tryouts at minicamp, prompting the front office to add him to the 90-man roster.

Rehkow was a former Big 12 Punter of the Year known for having a big leg throughout his college career. He recorded a 42 percent inside-20 rate in his four seasons at BYU. In his last season, he had 68 punts, nine of which went as far as 60 yards.

The move opens the door for veteran Matt Araiza, the only punter on the roster. An All-American in college and winner of the Ray Guy Award as the nation’s best collegiate punter in 2021, he was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in 2022.