Chiefs Sign Justin Tucker to Practice Squad After Misconduct Suspension

The Kansas City Chiefs added kicker Justin Tucker to their practice squad on Wednesday, a move that brings a player with a recent history of sexual misconduct allegations back into a professional football environment. Tucker, 37, was suspended for the first 10 weeks of the 2025 season after an NFL investigation into accounts of nonconsensual behavior during massage therapy sessions.

The signing comes as the team seeks competition at the kicking position. Starting kicker Harrison Butker has missed five of his 16 field goal attempts this season. Tucker, who last played for the Baltimore Ravens in 2024, had been unsigned for the entirety of the 2025 season despite working out with the Miami Dolphins earlier in the year.

In January 2025, The Baltimore Banner published accounts from six women who accused Tucker of nonconsensual sexual behavior between 2012 and 2016. The reports stated that Tucker exposed his genitals and brushed the women with his exposed penis during the sessions. The league's suspension followed those findings, but Tucker remained out of the league for a full year before landing in Kansas City.

Head coach Andy Reid offered a concise explanation for the roster decision when asked what message the signing sends to female fans. "He’s done his suspension. Took care of his business there. I’ll leave it at that," Reid said. He emphasized that the team conducted its own review of the situation. "We try to do our homework best way we possibly can, and talk to a lot of people, and make sure things are okay," he added.

Reid declined to go into further detail about the specific steps taken during the evaluation process. "I’m not going to get into all of that," he said. He noted that Tucker’s time away from the league was a factor in his assessment. "He served a suspension, there’s been time involved with it. That’s how I evaluate it," Reid explained.

Quarterback Patrick Mahomes also addressed the addition on Wednesday. He expressed confidence in the front office's ability to find the right fit. "I know [general manager Brett] Veach [and the front office] do a great job of bringing great players in," Mahomes said. He added that the focus for the team remained on moving forward after their game against the Denver Broncos.

Tucker ranks second all-time in the NFL for field goal kicking percentage. However, he struggled during his final season with the Ravens, converting a career-low 73.3% of his attempts. The Chiefs will now use Tucker to challenge Butker for the starting role as the season progresses.