Jake Butt

Chicago Bears
Tight End #80
Chicago Bears
Tight End #80

Jake Butt News

Retires from football

Butt was placed on the retired list by the Bears on Wednesday, NFL reporter Aaron Wilson reports.

Analysis: Butt signed with Chicago in mid-June but will hang up his cleats rather than compete for a roster spot in camp. The 26-year-old's professional career was defined by injuries since being selected during the fifth round of the 2017 draft, and he ended up aapearing in only eight career games.

Jul 28, 2021 8:13 PM EST


Signs with Bears

Butt signed with the Bears on Friday, NFL reporter Aaron Wilson reports.

Analysis: Injuries have defined Butt's career thus far. He was very highly-rated in college but tore his ACL in his final bowl game for Michigan and slipped to the fifth round of the 2017 draft. He missed all of his rookie season due to injury and all of the 2019 season as well. His entire NFL experience to date consists of three games in 2018 and five in 2020, as he battled injuries in both of those years as well. There's presumably still some talent here if he stays healthy, but the Bears will likely be happy if he can just manage to stay on the field.

Jun 18, 2021 8:13 AM EST



No tender coming from Broncos

The Broncos did not tender a contract to Butt, Troy Renck of Denver 7 News reports.

Analysis: Selected one pick ahead of George Kittle in the 2017 draft, Butt has accumulated only 10 receptions for 90 yards over four career NFL games. The Michigan standout was perceived as a top tight end prospect during his senior campaign, but a torn ACL suffered during an Orange Bowl loss to Florida State kept him from making a single appearance as a rookie. Knee and hamstring issues have continued to hamper Butt throughout his career, but he's now afforded the prospect of a fresh start in a backup role elsewhere.

Mar 17, 2021 7:28 PM EST


Officially comes off IR

Butt (hamstring) was removed from injured reserve Thursday, Troy Renck of Denver 7 News reports.

Analysis: Butt's most recent game appearance came Week 6 at New England, but he was ruled out the subsequent contest against Kansas City and moved to IR a week after that on Nov. 3. The tight end hardly made a peep in the passing game over his first five appearances of 2020, registering one catch for five yards on an offensive workload of 22.8 snaps per contest. With Noah Fant still secured atop the depth chart, Butt carries minimal upside as a depth option for Denver's 28th-ranked pass offense.

Dec 31, 2020 3:55 PM EST


Trending in right direction

The Broncos designated Butt (hamstring) for a return from injured reserve Thursday, Aric DiLalla of the team's official site reports.

Analysis: Butt has resided on injured reserve since Nov. 3 with the hamstring issue, but the team will now have 21 days to officially activate the tight end. Only Noah Fant and Nick Vannett are the healthy tight ends on the roster, so Butt's inclusion in the lineup will bolster the depth if he's officially activated.

Dec 10, 2020 4:39 PM EST



Moves to injured reserve

Butt (hamstring) was placed on injured reserve Tuesday, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Analysis: The 25-year-old missed the past two games due to the hamstring injury and will now be sidelined for at least three additional contests. Albert Okwuegbunam and Nick Vannett (foot) should continue to work as the reserve tight ends behind starter Noah Fant for Denver.

Nov 3, 2020 2:59 PM EST


Can't go against Chargers

Butt (hamstring) is inactive for Sunday's matchup against the Chargers.

Analysis: Butt was able to log three limited sessions during the practice week, but it's now been determined he'll miss his second consecutive contest. It seemed possible the third-year tight end may be able to suit up for the AFC West clash given his partial availability, but this update indicates tight end depth will be depleted behind No. 1 and 2 options Noah Fant and Albert Okwuegbunam.

Nov 1, 2020 11:45 AM EST


Considered questionable for Sunday

Butt (hamstring) is questionable for Sunday's game versus the Chargers, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.

Analysis: Butt missed last week's blowout loss to the Chiefs, but a trio of limited practices this week will leave the door open for a Week 8 return. He'll be the No. 3 tight end upon return to the lineup, as rookie Albert Okwuegbunam has proved to be a solid pass-catcher behind top option Noah Fant.

Oct 30, 2020 2:06 PM EST


Limited at Wednesday's practice

Butt (hamstring) was a limited practice participant Wednesday, Ryan O'Halloran of The Denver Post reports.

Analysis: The 25-year-old sat out Sunday's loss to the Chiefs after being considered questionable, but he's back at practice Wednesday. Butt could received the questionable tag again if he's unable to progress to full practice participation by Friday.

Oct 28, 2020 4:00 PM EST


Out Week 7

Butt (hamstring) is inactive for Sunday's game versus Kansas City, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.

Analysis: The 25-year-old played a season-high 39 offensive snaps last week but won't be available for Week 7 due to the hamstring issue. Noah Fant (ankle) is back in action Sunday, so it's unlikely Butt would have factored into the passing game regardless.

Oct 25, 2020 12:09 PM EST


Questionable to face Chiefs

Butt (hamstring) is Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site for Sunday's contest against Kansas City.

Analysis: Butt played a season-high 61 percent of offensive snaps against New England in Week 6, but he didn't draw a single target. Top tight end Noah Fant (ankle) is on track to return Sunday, so even if Butt were forced to sit out the contest Denver's offense would mostly emerge unaffected.

Oct 23, 2020 12:58 PM EST


Stringing together strong practices

Butt has impressed thus far at camp, Benjamin Allbright of KOA News Radio reports.

Analysis: Butt was a stud at Michigan, but knee injuries have limited him to just three games in three seasons in Denver. Quality practice reps aside, Butt has a steep climb to make the final roster. Noah Fant and Albert Okwuegbunam represent the future of the position in Denver while Andrew Beck offers fullback versatility. Assuming that the Broncos carry just four tight ends, Butt will have to beat out Troy Fumagalli and Nick. Vannett, the latter of whom would be cost-prohibitive to cut.

Aug 19, 2020 8:18 PM EST


Healthy this offseason

Butt is ready for a full workout and practice plan this offseason, Ryan O'Halloran of The Denver Post reports.

Analysis: The 2017 fifth-round pick has suffered three ACL tears since 2014, and he missed the entire 2019 season after having "minor" knee surgery in late August. With only three regular-season NFL appearances to his name, Butt faces an uphill battle to earn a spot on the Broncos' 53-man roster.

May 30, 2020 10:27 AM EST


No tread in 2019

Butt (knee) wasn't activated from IR in 2019.

Analysis: After tearing his ACL in September of 2018, Butt started the season on injured reserve. The Broncos never activated him despite completing rehab, as they later used their two IR activations on Tim Patrick (hand) and Drew Lock (thumb). Butt is under contract for the 2020 season, but he's not a lock to make the final roster because Noah Fant, Jeff Heurerman, Troy Fumagalli and Austin Fort (knee) will all be in the battle as well.

Feb 3, 2020 1:23 PM EST


Expected to practice next week

Butt (knee) is set to begin practicing next week, Troy Renck of Denver 7 News reports.

Analysis: Butt should be fully recovered from his ACL injury by the time he's eligible to retake the field Week 9. However, the Broncos can only designate two of Butt, Drew Lock (thumb), Theo Riddick (shoulder) and Tim Patrick (hand) to be activated from IR. With a plethora of young tight ends already on the roster, including rookie first-round pick Noah Fant, it remains to be seen whether Butt will be one of the two players selected to return by Denver.

Oct 18, 2019 1:17 PM EST


Will start season on IR

General manager John Elway told reporters Saturday that Butt (knee) will be placed on injured reserve to start the season, Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic reports.

Analysis: A feel-good story throughout camp, Butt has dealt with numerous set backs during his recovery from a season-ending ACL tear, necessitating a recent scope. Butt should be recovered even before he's eligible to return after eight weeks, but its' fair to wonder -- with other young tight ends on the roster -- whether Denver would spend one of its two return designations on Butt, who has been healthy for just three games through two-plus seasons.

Aug 31, 2019 1:33 PM EST


Expected to miss one month

Butt will miss approximately one month while on the mend from left knee surgery, Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic reports.

Analysis: The Broncos are estimating that Butt will miss about a month, though that timeline could change after surgery. Either way, he'll remain out for at least the first four weeks of the regular season and likely longer.

Aug 29, 2019 9:19 PM EST


Needs another knee surgery

Butt is scheduled for minor knee surgery after his latest setback, James Palmer of NFL Network reports.

Analysis: Butt returned from his third ACL tear for Saturday's preseason loss to the Rams, hauling in both of his targets for 17 yards. He apparently suffered a setback either during the game or Monday at practice, as he wasn't present Tuesday when coach Vic Fangio ruled the tight end out for Thursday's preseason finale versus Arizona. The 24-year-old now appears in danger of spending another season on injured reserve, though his latest surgery is considered minor.

Aug 28, 2019 8:31 AM EST


Knee still an issue

Butt (knee) won't practice Tuesday and will also sit out Thursday night's preseason finale against the Cardinals, Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: Additionally, coach Vic Fangio hasn't ruled out the possibility of placing Butt on IR in conjunction with roster cut-downs later this week. The reason the move is being considered is that the tight end's knee continues to flare up at times, and the team may elect to shut down the 2017 fifth-rounder until the issue settles down.

Aug 27, 2019 12:32 PM EST


Nabs two passes in preseason debut

Butt caught both of his targets for 17 total yards during Saturday's 10-6 preseason loss to the Rams.

Analysis: Recovering from his third ACL tear, Butt finally made his preseason debut on Saturday -- logging 11 offensive snaps and making two nice catches underneath. The Broncos are thin down the tight-end depth chart with Austin Fort and Bug Howard on injured reserve. Fullback Andy Janovich (pectoral) should also miss the first few games of the year. Provided he doesn't suffer another setback in his rehab, Butt has a decent shot at making the final roster as TE4.

Aug 25, 2019 8:15 PM EST


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