By Field Level Media
Oct 28 (Field Level Media) – The Kansas City Chiefs signed Justin Tucker, one of the most accurate kickers in NFL history, to the practice squad.
The news was reported first by the Kansas City Star and confirmed by multiple outlets on Wednesday.
A five-time All-Pro, Tucker was released by the Baltimore Ravens in May 2025 amid declining production and allegations from 16 massage therapists in the Baltimore area who had accused him of sexual misconduct.
The accusers alleged the misconduct occurred in the 2010s, early in Tucker’s career. He denied the allegations.
Following an investigation, the NFL suspended Tucker for 10 games for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy. That suspension was served last season, and Tucker is eligible to play immediately.
“He’s done his suspension, taking care of that business there. I’ll leave it at that,” Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said Wednesday of Tucker.
Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta said the following of Tucker at the time of his release:
“Justin created many significant and unforgettable moments in Ravens history. His reliability, focus, drive, resilience and extraordinary talent made him one of the league’s best kickers for over a decade. We are grateful for Justin’s many contributions while playing for the Ravens. We sincerely wish him and his family the very best in this next chapter of their lives.”
Tucker is second in NFL history in field-goal percentage, making 417 of 468 attempts (89.1%) over 13 seasons. He was the hero of the “Mile High Miracle” game as a rookie in the 2012 season when he hit a 47-yard field goal in double overtime to give the Ravens a 38-35 win over the Denver Broncos in the AFC divisional round.
Harrison Butker, 31, has been Kansas City’s kicker since 2017 and is fifth all-time in accuracy with an 87.3% rate (262 of 300). This season, he has hit just 68.8% of his attempts (11 of 16) and is only 5 of 10 from 40-plus yards.
In a 20-3 loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, Butker missed from 58 and 45 yards and connected from 50.
“Right now his technique is off a bit,” Reid said of Butker.
Reid also said Wednesday that Butker “probably” will be the team’s kicker this weekend in the Chiefs’ game against the host Broncos. However, Reid noted that Butker is aware that things could change if his performance doesn’t improve.
“He understands the business and how it works,” Reid said. “We had a practice squad position open. For security, we brought (Tucker) in and put him in that spot that we had open. Butker gets it. He knows that’s part of the business. He’s struggled a little bit. He gets it, he needs to pick it up a little bit.”
Tucker, who turns 37 in November, had the worst season of his career in 2024. He hit just 73.3% of his field-goal attempts (22 of 30) and was 11 of 19 on kicks of 40 yards or longer.
(–Field Level Media)
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