Chiefs Sign Kicker Justin Tucker to Practice Squad After 10-Game NFL Suspension

2.6 · 1d ago · US

The Facts

  • The Kansas City Chiefs signed kicker Justin Tucker, 37, to their practice squad on Wednesday. ✓2 · NBC News, Fox News
  • The NFL suspended Tucker for 10 games of the 2025 season under its personal conduct policy after allegations of sexual misconduct by massage therapists; he went unsigned for the whole season. ✓2 · NBC News, Fox News
  • The Baltimore Banner reported in January 2025 that women accused Tucker of sexual misconduct during massage sessions between 2012 and 2016, and reported more accusers in February 2025. ✓2 · NBC News, Fox News
  • Tucker has denied all allegations. He was never criminally charged or sued civilly over them. ✓2 · NBC News, Fox News
  • Chiefs coach Andy Reid said: 'He's done his suspension. Took care of his business there. I'll leave it at that.' He declined to detail the background checks he did. ✓2 · NBC News, Fox News
Dive deeper · 7 more factsShow less
  • Starter Harrison Butker has made 11 of 16 field-goal attempts this season, with four misses in his last four games. ✓2 · NBC News, Fox News
  • Special teams coordinator Dave Toub said Butker remains the starting kicker and went 10-for-10 in practice on Wednesday in 28 mph wind gusts. Fox News only
  • Toub said the Chiefs worked out Ben Sauls, Harrison Mevis and Tucker. He said Tucker made every kick in the workout, including seven attempts from beyond 50 yards and one from 60 yards. Fox News only
  • Tucker is second all-time in NFL field-goal percentage. He converted a career-worst 73.3% of field goals in his final Ravens season in 2024. NBC News only
  • The Ravens released Tucker in May 2025 after 13 seasons, calling it a 'football decision.' Fox News only
  • Tucker reportedly worked out with the Miami Dolphins earlier this year, per reporter Aaron Wilson. NBC News only
  • The Chiefs next play the Denver Broncos at 4:25 p.m. ET on Sunday. Fox News only

Context

The Kansas City Chiefs added kicker Justin Tucker to their practice squad as competition for Harrison Butker, who has struggled this season. Tucker last played for the Baltimore Ravens in 2024 and served a 10-game NFL suspension in 2025 after allegations from massage therapists, which he denies.

Reid said he did homework on the signing and cited the completed suspension. Toub said Butker remains the starter.

Conflicting Reports

  • The number of accusers differs: NBC News reports six women in January 2025 plus 10 more in February (16 total); Fox News reports 16 in January plus seven more in February (23-24 total).
  • Fox News reports Butker has missed four of his recent attempts and made 11 of 16; NBC News says he has missed five of 16, which is consistent with 11 of 16 but differs from Fox's count of four misses in the last four games.

How the Agent Panel Scored This

Independent AI personas each scored importance 1–10; the story's score is a trimmed mean (highest and lowest votes dropped). Vote spread: 1.

3 News Editor A practice squad signing of a kicker who is not the starter is a minor, limited-impact sports transaction, though it carries some notable controversy and public interest.
3 Business Analyst A practice squad signing of a kicker with Butker still starting is a minor, niche roster move with limited broader impact despite the controversy attached.
3 Policy Expert The concrete event is a practice squad signing of a kicker who serves only as backup competition while Butker remains the starter, a minor sports transaction with limited broader impact.
3 Critical Reader A practice squad signing of a kicker who remains a backup to the starter is a minor, limited-impact sports transaction, though it has some notable controversy attached.
2 Science & Tech Analyst This is a practice squad signing of a kicker in the NFL, a niche sports transaction with limited broader impact, though it touches on a controversial player's return.
2 Informed Citizen A practice squad signing of a kicker who is not the starter is a niche sports roster move with limited impact on ordinary people and little relevance in a week.
2 Global Affairs Analyst This is a practice squad signing of a kicker, a niche sports transaction with limited broader impact, though it involves a notable figure and sensitive misconduct allegations.

Sources (5)

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