The Kansas City Chiefs signed veteran kicker Justin Tucker to their practice squad on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026, after he worked out with the team alongside Harrison Mevis, according to multiple reports. Tucker, 36, returns to the NFL after his release by the Baltimore Ravens and subsequent 10-game suspension for violating the league’s personal conduct policy. The move gives Kansas City an immediate alternative as current kicker Harrison Butker struggles through a career-worst start to the season. The signing follows reports that the Chiefs sought other kicking options because of Butker’s performance.
Kansas City Adds Practice Squad Kicker Amid Struggles
The Chiefs signed Tucker following a workout where he made all 30 of his kicks, according to reports. Tom Pelissero of The Ringer confirmed the perfect workout. Kansas City enters the decision with growing concerns over Butker, who has missed five of his 16 field goal attempts through the first six games of the 2026 season. Butker posted the fourth-worst kicking percentage in the league at 68.8 percent, coming up short on a 58-yard attempt during the Chiefs’ first loss of the year, a Sunday night defeat against the Seattle Seahawks. During that game, Butker missed two of his three kicks.
While Tucker starts on the practice squad, his arrival places immediate pressure on Butker. The 36-year-old veteran spent his entire 13-year career with the Baltimore Ravens before his departure, establishing an 89.1% field goal conversion rate that ranks third all-time in NFL history. A Houston native, the eight-time All Pro converted 64 of 96 attempts from 50-plus yards out during his career. He holds Ravens records for the most field goals in a single season and the most in franchise history, and he is the only NFL player to record at least 30 field goals in nine different seasons. In 2024, his final active season before his suspension, Tucker converted 22 of 30 field goal attempts for a career-low 73.3% success rate.
The Chiefs worked out several kickers Tuesday and Justin Tucker went 30-for-30 — a reminder of what one of the most accurate kickers in NFL history can do.Tucker already served a 10-week suspension last season, so if the Chiefs need him, he’s eligible to kick Sunday. pic.twitter.com/eUAgLdyeLH
Tucker Denies Sexual Misconduct Allegations from Massage Therapists
Tucker’s return follows an absence from professional football that began in early 2025. Reports detailed that six Baltimore-area massage therapists accused Tucker of sexual misconduct during sessions between 2012 and 2016, citing incidents where he allegedly exposed himself and left ejaculate on massage tables. The number of accusers later grew to 16 women across eight spa and wellness centers. Reports from the Baltimore Banner indicated his behavior resulted in a ban from two spas in Baltimore.
Tucker repeatedly denied the allegations and was never criminally charged. The Baltimore Ravens released him in May 2025 as the NFL investigation progressed. In June 2025, the league suspended Tucker for the first 10 games of the 2025 season for violating the personal conduct policy. Tucker did not appeal the decision. He served the suspension during the 2025 campaign without an active roster spot.
Prior Trials and Subsequent Tryouts Across the League
After completing his suspension, Tucker attempted to restart his career by participating in workouts with multiple franchises. He tried out for the New Orleans Saints and Indianapolis Colts in July 2025 without earning a contract, then worked out for those same teams again in July 2026. He also held a workout with the New York Jets in September 2026 before Gang Green elected to stick with Jason Sanders.
The Kansas City workout followed Tucker’s previous unsuccessful attempts with the Saints, Colts, and Jets since his release. While contract terms such as total value, average annual value, and guaranteed money remain undisclosed following his Wednesday practice squad signing, the transaction brings the veteran back into an NFL facility as teams monitor special teams depth heading into the midpoint of the season.
More on Justin Tucker
The Chiefs are signing K Justin Tucker to their practice squad, sources tell @TheAthletic. Tucker, who hasn’t kicked since 2024 after allegations of sexual misbehavior in massages, joins KC amid starter Harrison Butker’s struggles. Story to come.
The #Chiefs add Justin Tucker, the 7-time Pro Bowler, to their practice squad, the first time he's signed since serving a 10-game suspension for violating the league's Personal Conduct Policy.He's insurance for Harrison Butker, who has missed 15 total kicks since the start of… pic.twitter.com/pyKkabCklI
Justin Tucker returns to the NFL, with the Chiefs adding him to their practice squad as a possible in-house alternative to Harrison Butker. In @FOS. https://t.co/VStAeDFlDK
Chiefs are signing K Justin Tucker to their practice squad, as @SamMcDowell11 reported. Tucker hasn’t kicked in the NFL since 2024 after violating the NFL’s personal-conduct policy following allegations of sexual misconduct. pic.twitter.com/fddZBV6UTE
The #Chiefs worked out three kickers and kept both Justin Tucker and Harrison Mevis around all day, giving them both physicals after similarly impressive workouts. In the end, with the experience and resume, Tucker gets the PS spot. https://t.co/xNiMwf6wVH
