Veteran NFL kicker Justin Tucker is signing with the Kansas City Chiefs practice squad after serving a 10-game suspension. The move follows ongoing struggles from current kicker Harrison Butker, who has missed five field goal attempts through six games this season.
Justin Tucker Joins the Kansas City Chiefs Practice Squad
The Kansas City Chiefs are bringing in veteran competition for their kicking game by signing Justin Tucker to their practice squad. The move comes amid struggles from current kicker Harrison Butker, who has converted just 11 of his 16 field goal attempts through the first six games of the season.
Tucker has not appeared in an NFL game since the 2024 campaign. The league suspended him for ten games under the personal conduct policy following a report from the Baltimore Banner that detailed allegations of sexual misconduct involving Baltimore-area massage therapists.
While Tucker denied the allegations and called them categorically false, he served the suspension and became eligible for reinstatement in November of last year. The Baltimore Ravens released Tucker in May of that year after 13 seasons with the franchise, describing the departure as a football decision. He was never criminally charged or sued civilly.
Harrison Butker Struggles Prompt Roster Pressure in Kansas City
Tucker’s arrival in Kansas City adds immediate pressure to the kicking position following Butker’s recent performance dip. Butker missed two of his three field goal attempts during a 20-3 road loss to the Seattle Seahawks, including a 58-yard try as time expired in the first half and a 45-yard attempt early in the fourth quarter.
Butker has missed 15 kicking attempts since the start of last year. His five missed field goals this season already match his total number of misses from all of last year, pushing his conversion rate down to 68.8 percent.
Workout Performance and Career Statistics for the Veteran Kicker
Before joining the Chiefs, Tucker worked out for Kansas City on Tuesday, converting all 30 of his attempts during the session. He is eligible to play Sunday if the team decides to elevate him to the active roster.
Tucker spent 13 seasons in Baltimore, earning seven Pro Bowl selections and five First Team All-Pro honors while winning a Super Bowl. He holds an 89.1 percent career field goal percentage, ranking second-best in NFL history among qualified players, though his 2024 season with the Ravens saw him drop to a career-low 73.3 percent conversion rate.
Chiefs are signing K Justin Tucker to their practice squad, as @SamMcDowell11 reported. Tucker hasn’t kicked in the NFL since 2024 after violating the NFL’s personal-conduct policy following allegations of sexual misconduct. pic.twitter.com/fddZBV6UTE
— https://x.com/AdamSchefter/status/2115427568237363306
More on Justin Tucker
The #Chiefs add Justin Tucker, the 7-time Pro Bowler, to their practice squad, the first time he's signed since serving a 10-game suspension for violating the league's Personal Conduct Policy.He's insurance for Harrison Butker, who has missed 15 total kicks since the start of… pic.twitter.com/pyKkabCklI
— https://x.com/RapSheet/status/2115426986881421424
The Chiefs are signing K Justin Tucker to their practice squad, sources tell @TheAthletic. Tucker, who hasn’t kicked since 2024 after allegations of sexual misbehavior in massages, joins KC amid starter Harrison Butker’s struggles. Story to come.
— https://x.com/jjones9/status/2115425917715816455