Chiefs Sign Justin Tucker to Practice Squad Amid Kicking Slump

The Kansas City Chiefs signed former Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker to their practice squad on Tuesday. The move adds depth at the position as the team addresses recent struggles by starter Harrison Butker. Tucker joins the roster after spending the 2025 season without a team following his suspension and release from Baltimore.

Tucker is an eight-time All-Pro and a seven-time Pro Bowler. He holds NFL records for the fastest time to reach 300 career field goals and 1,000 points. His career field goal conversion rate stands at 89.1%, with 417 made attempts ranking 14th in league history. The 36-year-old previously set the single-season and career records for longest field goal, though those marks were later broken by Jacksonville Jaguars kicker Cam Little.

NFL Media reported that the Chiefs held workouts for three kickers this week. The team selected Tucker over former Los Angeles Rams kicker Harrison Mevis. This signing follows a period where Tucker worked out for several teams, including the Indianapolis Colts, New Orleans Saints, and New York Jets, but did not sign a contract with any of them.

The addition comes as Butker navigates a challenging stretch. He has missed six kicks this season, including one extra point and two field goals in Week 7. In the Chiefs' 20-3 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, Butker missed a 58-yard attempt at the end of the first half and a 45-yarder in the fourth quarter. He is 9-of-10 from inside 50 yards this season, indicating that most of his misses have come from long range.

Chiefs head coach Andy Reid acknowledged the situation after the Seattle game. "He's been one of the most consistent kickers in football," Reid said of Butker. "He's off a bit, so gotta fix it." Butker remains the starting kicker for now, but the presence of Tucker on the practice squad signals that the team is preparing for potential changes.

Tucker's path to Kansas City involved a 10-game NFL suspension in the 2025 season for violating the personal conduct policy. The Ravens released him in May 2025 after he went unsigned following the suspension. The Baltimore Banner reported in January 2025 that six women accused him of sexually inappropriate misconduct at local spas, a number that later grew to 16 accusers across eight locations. Tucker has not commented publicly on the allegations since the reports emerged.

The signing provides the Chiefs with a high-profile backup option. Tucker last played in the NFL on Jan. 19, 2025, for Baltimore. The Chiefs have not announced a timeline for evaluating the kicking competition, but the practice squad designation allows the team to keep Tucker on the roster without occupying an active spot immediately.