The Chiefs are making a surprising move that many might not expect.
Kansas City has brought Justin Tucker onto its practice squad, especially following a rough start to the season for kicker Harrison Butker, as reported by various sources.
The former Ravens kicker had a workout with the Chiefs on Tuesday, alongside ex-Rams kicker Harrison Mevis. Tucker, it seems, has been quite reliable, having nailed all 30 of his kicks, according to Tom Pelissero from The Ringer.
Now, Tucker is looking to make a comeback after being let go by the Ravens. His departure followed accusations of misconduct involving multiple massage therapists, which he has maintained are false. The 36-year-old kicker, who has long been regarded as one of the best in the game, faced a league suspension for 10 games before the 2025 season due to this scandal.
This opportunity with the Chiefs marks Tucker’s first chance to return to the NFL since he had been trying out for other teams, including the Jets, earlier this year.
Although he had a workout with the Saints, they opted against signing him, leaving Tucker still searching for a place in the league. The allegations against him came from six massage therapists between 2012 and 2016, who reported several instances of inappropriate behavior. As more claims emerged, the number of allegations grew to 16 across various wellness centers.
Tucker has consistently denied the accusations and, notably, was never criminally charged. He was released by the Ravens in May 2025.
Even though he’s not on the active roster yet, there’s a chance he could play soon, given Butker’s recent struggles. Butker, in a notable miss, fell short on a 58-yard field goal attempt, managing to convert only one of his three kicks during the Chiefs’ first loss of the season to the Seahawks.
Missing from that distance in today’s NFL? That’s a pretty big deal, especially considering many kickers now regularly make 60-plus yard attempts look easy.
This season has not been kind to Butker, as his kicking percentage stands at a disappointing 68.8%, making him fourth-worst in the league. Meanwhile, Mevis sits at the bottom with a mere 55.6% success rate.
