Kansas City has decided its kicking problem is worth a calculated gamble. Several outlets reported on Wednesday that the Chiefs have found a spot for Justin Tucker on the practice roster, giving the 36-year-old his first route back into the league since the 2024 season.
On paper, Tucker remains one of the finest specialists the sport has produced. He made seven Pro Bowls and five All-Pro teams, and his 89.1 per cent career success rate on field goals trails only the Chargers’ Cameron Dicker. Away from the field, his reputation took a heavy blow in 2025, when 16 massage therapists in the Baltimore area accused him of inappropriate behaviour during sessions. Tucker rejected the allegations and no criminal case followed; the league still banned him for ten games in 2025 under its conduct rules, and Baltimore cut him after 13 seasons.
The opening in Kansas City exists because Harrison Butker has been erratic. He has already missed five field goal attempts and an extra point this year, two of them in the 20-3 loss to the Seahawks last Sunday. The Chiefs auditioned three kickers, among them Tucker and former Rams kicker Harrison Mevis, before settling on the veteran.
Andy Reid kept his remarks brief. The head coach pointed out that the suspension had been served, adding that the club had spoken to many people before making the move. Reid insisted the team still values Butker but needs more from him; the incumbent will take most practice reps this week and is expected to kick against Denver on Sunday. “It’s fluid,” Reid said.
Tucker has something to prove too. His last year with the Ravens was the worst of his career: 22 makes from 30 attempts, with five of the misses coming from 50 yards or more.
