The Kansas City Chiefs have signed kicker Justin Tucker to their practice squad amid Harrison Butker’s continued struggles.
Tucker’s signing comes after he served a 10-game suspension for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy following allegations of sexual misconduct. Sixteen massage therapists in the Baltimore area accused Tucker, 36, of inappropriate behavior during his time with the Baltimore Ravens, who released the kicker in May 2025.
Sam McDowell of the Kansas City Star was first to report the Chiefs’ signing, which has been confirmed by ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Tucker’s 10–game suspension was announced in June 2025, the result of an investigation by the NFL.
The kicker did not appeal the suspension, though he has never admitted to any wrongdoing.
“We are disappointed with the NFL’s decision,” Tucker’s agent, Rob Roche, said in a statement at the time. “Justin has always strived to carry himself in a way that would make his family and community proud. He stands by his previous statements.”
Roche said Tucker was hoping to “put this difficult episode behind him and get back on the field as soon as possible.”
An attorney representing many of the accusers said the NFL’s ruling served to “validate the experiences told by each of the victims.”
“It would have been so simple for Mr. Tucker to just apologize many months ago,” the lawyer, Michael Belsky, added. “Instead, by attacking the credibility of the victims, he revictimized them. This was not necessary and should not be acceptable.”
When the allegations against him first came to light in January 2025, Tucker called them “unequivocally false” in a statement via X.
“I have always made a conscious effort to be considerate and respectful in all of the interactions with the community that I love so much,” he said. “It is devastating for me to learn that anyone would feel I was offensive in any way. I maintain I did not act inappropriately at any point before, during or after a professional bodywork treatment session.”
Tucker joining the Chiefs comes as longtime Kansas City kicker Butker, 31, continues to miss kicks.
Since the start of last season, Butker’s 15 misses (10 field goals, 5 extra points) are the most in the NFL.
“I try to take one kick at a time,” Butker told reporters after the Chiefs’ 20-3 loss on Sunday, October 25, a game in which he missed two field goals. “I’m blessed every opportunity I get and try to do my best. It’s kind of the life of a kicker — it either goes in or it doesn’t. And unfortunately, there’s been some kicks that haven’t gone in.”
