Andy Reid defends the Kansas City Chiefs signing kicker Justin Tucker after his 10-game suspension and exit from Baltimore.
Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid has defended the controversial decision to sign veteran kicker Justin Tucker to their practice squad, stating that the player has already served his required suspension and taken care of business.
The move comes after Tucker, one of the most accurate kickers in NFL history, faced serious allegations of sexual misconduct from 16 massage therapists in the Baltimore area during the 2010s, leading to a 10-game suspension by the league, according to information published by BBC.
Tucker previously spent his career with the Baltimore Ravens, winning Super Bowl XLVII and earning five All-Pro selections, before being released in May 2025 following a decline in his on-field performance.
Justin Tucker background and NFL suspension details
The 36-year-old kicker has consistently denied the allegations made against him and never faced any criminal charges, but he was penalized by the NFL for violating the personal conduct policy, according to information published by BBC.
After completing his 10-game ban last season, Tucker became immediately available for selection, prompting the Kansas City Chiefs to bring him in to address their ongoing special teams concerns.
Andy Reid addresses the homework behind the signing
Speaking to reporters in a news conference on Wednesday, head coach Andy Reid explained that the organization performed extensive background checks before moving forward with the roster addition.
Reid noted that the team tried to do their homework the best way they possibly could by talking to numerous people to ensure things were acceptable before placing Tucker on the practice squad, according to information published by BBC.
Harrison Butker struggles lead to roster move
The Kansas City Chiefs pursued Tucker following a dramatic run of poor form from current kicker Harrison Butker, who has held the position since 2017 and ranks fifth in NFL history for field goal accuracy.
Butker has struggled throughout the current campaign, missing five of his 16 field goal attempts, including two out of three kicks during a disappointing 20-3 defeat against the Seattle Seahawks, according to information published by BBC.
Justin Tucker career statistics and form
Despite enduring the worst statistical season of his career in 2024 by making just 73.3 percent of his field goal attempts, Tucker remains second in NFL history with an 89.1 field-goal percentage across 13 seasons.
The Baltimore Ravens described his release earlier this year as a football decision driven by his declining form, but the Kansas City Chiefs are now hoping he can rediscover his elite form, according to information published by BBC.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the Kansas City Chiefs sign Justin Tucker?
The Kansas City Chiefs signed Justin Tucker to their practice squad to address kicking struggles, particularly after current kicker Harrison Butker missed five of his 16 field goal attempts this season.
Why was Justin Tucker suspended by the NFL?
Justin Tucker received a 10-game suspension from the NFL for violating the league personal conduct policy after being accused of sexual misconduct by 16 massage therapists in the Baltimore area.
What did head coach Andy Reid say about the signing?
Head coach Andy Reid defended the decision by stating that Tucker has done his suspension, taken care of that business, and that the team did their homework before bringing him in.
What are Justin Tucker career statistics?
Justin Tucker is a five-time All-Pro who won Super Bowl XLVII with the Baltimore Ravens and ranks second in NFL history with an 89.1 field-goal percentage across 13 seasons.
