Chiefs add Justin Tucker to practice squad as Butker struggles

The Kansas City Chiefs have signed former Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker to their practice squad, the Guardian reported on Wednesday, as Harrison Butker works through an inconsistent start to the season. Butker has missed five of his 16 field-goal attempts, but head coach Andy Reid said he would continue to receive most of the practice repetitions this week.

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Tucker, 37, has not played in the NFL since Baltimore released him in May 2025. The Ravens attributed that departure to his performance after a difficult season. His final year with the team produced a field-goal success rate of 73.3%, the lowest of his career, compared with a career figure of 89.1%, according to the Guardian.

The release also followed allegations of inappropriate sexual behaviour made by more than a dozen massage therapists from spas and wellness centres in the Baltimore area. Tucker denied the allegations and did not face criminal charges. He subsequently served a 10-game suspension for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy. The Baltimore Banner first reported the allegations against him.

Asked on Wednesday about Tucker joining Kansas City, Reid pointed to the suspension having been served and said the team tried to carry out its checks before making such decisions. His comments addressed the disciplinary background to the signing, which brings Tucker back into an NFL organisation after his extended absence from the league following the Ravens' decision.

Tucker's Baltimore career included seven Pro Bowl selections and a Super Bowl victory in his rookie season. Butker, 31, has won three Super Bowls with Kansas City. The practice-squad addition places another experienced kicker within the Chiefs' organisation, although Reid's stated plan for this week's repetitions still gives Butker the larger share as he works on his form.

Reid said Butker had not achieved the consistency he wanted, while also expressing support for him. He described the situation as changeable and said the team would see how it developed. His comments left the longer-term kicking arrangement unsettled, with Tucker joining the practice squad and Butker retaining the majority of the immediate practice work.