Chiefs sign Justin Tucker to practice squad as Harrison Butker struggles, reports say

Justin Tucker is headed back to the NFL. The Kansas City Chiefs are signing the former Baltimore Ravens kicker to their practice squad, according to reports Wednesday morning from NFL Network, ESPN and CBS Sports. The Kansas City Star’s Sam McDowell first reported the move.

The signing comes as longtime Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker has struggled this season, and it marks Tucker’s first job with an NFL team since the Ravens released him in May 2025. As of Wednesday morning, the move was based on reports; the cited outlets did not quote an official team announcement.

Why are the Chiefs signing Justin Tucker?

The short answer: missed kicks. According to SB Nation, Butker has made 11 of 16 field goal attempts this season. He went 1-for-3 in Sunday night’s 20-3 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, missing a 58-yard try as time expired in the first half and a 45-yarder in the fourth quarter. CBS Sports counts six missed kicks in all this season, including one extra point.

The trouble has mostly come from long range. CBS Sports lists Butker at 9 of 10 inside 50 yards and 2 of 6 from 50 or more this year.

“He’s been one of the most consistent kickers in football,” Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said of Butker after the Seattle game, per CBS Sports. “He’s off a bit, so gotta fix it.”

Butker, now in his 10th season with Kansas City, said after the loss, “Every kick matters, every day at practice, every game. I’ve got to be better,” according to Sports Illustrated.

Is Harrison Butker still the Chiefs kicker?

For now, yes. NFL.com reports that Butker remains on the 53-man roster, while Tucker joins the practice squad. Outlets including NFL.com and Sports Illustrated describe the move as competition that could put Butker’s job in jeopardy if his struggles continue, but no change at kicker has been announced.

Kansas City worked out three kickers this week, including Tucker and former Rams kicker Harrison Mevis, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported.

What did Justin Tucker do? The background on the allegations

Tucker’s return comes with a well-documented history. In early 2025, the Baltimore Banner reported allegations that Tucker engaged in inappropriate sexual behavior during massage sessions. NFL.com and CBS Sports report that the number of accusers eventually reached 16 massage therapists from eight Baltimore-area spas.

Key facts as reported:

• Denial: Tucker denied the allegations and called them “categorically false,” SB Nation reported.
• Release: The Ravens released him on May 5, 2025, after 13 seasons with the team, per Sports Illustrated.
• Suspension: The NFL suspended him for 10 games for violating the league’s personal conduct policy.
• Reinstatement: Sports Illustrated reports he was reinstated on Nov. 11 but went unsigned. He worked out for the Saints, Colts and Jets without signing.

No new allegations have been reported in connection with this week’s signing.

How good is Justin Tucker?

On paper, he is one of the most accurate kickers ever. NFL.com reports he has made 89.1% of his career field goal attempts, second all-time behind the Chargers’ Cameron Dicker. He is a seven-time Pro Bowler and a Super Bowl XLVII champion, and CBS Sports says his 417 made field goals rank 14th all-time.

But his last season was his worst. In 2024, Tucker made 22 of 30 field goal attempts, including 6 of 11 from 50-plus yards, according to Sports Illustrated. He also missed two extra points that year, per NFL.com. He is 36, has not kicked in an NFL game since January 2025 and, as Sports Illustrated notes, long-range accuracy was a problem at the end of his Baltimore tenure, which is also where Butker has struggled.

FAQ