Chiefs Sign 37-Year-Old Justin Tucker to Practice Squad Amid Kicking Struggles

The Kansas City Chiefs signed kicker Justin Tucker to their practice squad on Wednesday. The 37-year-old veteran joins the team while starting kicker Harrison Butker continues to struggle, having missed five of his 16 field goal attempts this season.

Head coach Andy Reid kept his explanation brief when reporters asked why the organization felt comfortable bringing in Tucker, who has not played in the NFL since 2024 due to sexual misconduct allegations. "He’s done his suspension. Took care of his business there. I’ll leave it at that," Reid said.

Reid stated that the team attempts to do its homework in the best way possible and talks to many people to ensure everything is okay. When pressed on the specific details of that investigation, Reid declined to elaborate, saying, "I’m not going to get into all of that."

Tucker last appeared on a field for the Baltimore Ravens during the 2024 season. In January 2025, The Baltimore Banner reported accounts from six women accusing Tucker of nonconsensual sexual behavior during massage therapy sessions between 2012 and 2016. The report alleged that Tucker exposed his genitals and brushed women with his exposed penis. The following month, ten more massage therapists came forward with similar accusations.

Tucker denied all claims at the time. In a February 2025 statement, he described the allegations as "unequivocally false" and maintained that he did not act inappropriately before, during, or after professional bodywork sessions. The NFL suspended Tucker for the first 10 weeks of the 2025 season following an investigation, but he remained unsigned for the entire campaign. NFL reporter Aaron Wilson noted that Tucker worked out with the Miami Dolphins earlier this year.

Quarterback Patrick Mahomes expressed confidence in the front office's decision-making process when asked about the signing on Wednesday. "I try not to get too high or too low on anything," Mahomes said. "I know [general manager Brett] Veach [and the front office] do a great job of bringing great players in. But for me, it was about the Denver Broncos and moving on and continuing to get better."

Tucker ranks second all-time in the NFL for field goal kicking percentage. His final season with the Ravens was marked by a career-low conversion rate of 73.3%.