Chiefs Add Justin Tucker After 10-Game Misconduct Suspension

WHO:

CNN - Andy Reid described Harrison Butker as “one of my favorite guys” and said Butker understood that the Chiefs’ open practice-squad spot was part of the business.

CNN - Reid said, “I try to do homework on it. See exactly what’s taken place,” explaining how he evaluates signings involving players with misconduct allegations.

NBC Sports - Sam McDowell of The Kansas City Star reported that the Chiefs would sign Justin Tucker to their practice squad.

Pro Football Network - The Kansas City Chiefs signed Justin Tucker to their practice squad as a potential alternative to Harrison Butker, whose kicking struggles have drawn attention.

Daily Mail Sports - Tucker, a former Baltimore Ravens kicker, was signed by the Chiefs after serving a suspension.

Fox News - Tucker signed with the Chiefs’ practice squad after serving an NFL suspension; the report described him as one of the greatest kickers of all time.

Fox News - The Baltimore Banner reported that 16 female massage therapists accused Tucker of sexual misconduct or inappropriate behavior during sessions. Tucker denied wrongdoing.

Fox News - The Baltimore Banner subsequently reported that seven additional women had made allegations against Tucker.

Fox News - Tucker’s legal team denied that he had been banned from two spas; the allegations did not result in criminal charges or civil lawsuits against Tucker.

Fox News - The Ravens released Tucker after 13 seasons, describing the move as a “football decision.” Tucker was a five-time first-team All-Pro and seven-time Pro Bowler.

Fox News - Tucker worked out for the New York Jets.

Fox News - Kansas City kicker Harrison Butker has struggled. The Chiefs’ punter, Matt Araiza, had faced a rape accusation in a legal case; all suits were dropped.

Fox News - Tucker’s allegations were compared with allegations against Deshaun Watson, who faced claims from more than two dozen women, settled 23 civil lawsuits, and received an 11-game suspension.

NY Post - Butker was described as quickly losing his hold on the Chiefs’ kicking job.

WHAT:

CNN - During a pregame warm-up before the AFC Championship Game in Baltimore, Patrick Mahomes asked Justin Tucker to move his gear. Tucker moved it only slightly, and Travis Kelce kicked Tucker’s footballs and helmet away, prompting an exchange of words.

CNN - The Chiefs previously brought back running back Kareem Hunt after releasing him when security footage showed him kicking a woman in a hotel hallway.

CNN - Harrison Butker formed a political action committee for the 2024 election to encourage Christians to vote for “traditional values.”

CNN - Coach Andy Reid said, “He’s done his suspension, you know? Took care of that business,” and said he would leave it at that.

CNN - Reid said Harrison Butker would kick in the Chiefs’ upcoming game against Denver.

CNN - The Chiefs worked out kickers Ben Sauls and Harrison Mevis before assigning Tucker the open practice-squad spot.

CNN - Butker has missed 10 field-goal attempts and five extra-point attempts since the start of last season, the most in the league. He is the league’s third-highest-paid kicker and has the sixth-highest base salary on Kansas City’s roster.

CNN - Patrick Mahomes said his past interaction with Tucker was not a longstanding feud: “At the end of the day, we’re just playing a game. You want to compete and you want to win.”

CNN - Mahomes said the Chiefs beat the Ravens 17-10 in the AFC Championship Game and then defeated San Francisco in the Super Bowl for their second consecutive title.

Fox News - Tucker is expected to turn 37 next month.

NBC Sports - Harrison Butker has made 11 of 16 field-goal attempts this season.

NBC Sports - Justin Tucker ranks 17th in NFL points scored; Butker ranks fifth all time in field-goal percentage.

Fox News - The NFL suspended Tucker for 10 games for violating its personal conduct policy. Daily Mail Sports also reported a 10-week suspension.

Fox News - The Baltimore Banner reported that the accusers said they ended sessions early or refused to work with Tucker again. Five women alleged that Tucker was erect and fully or partially exposed himself during sessions.

Fox News - Tucker said: “I maintain I did not act inappropriately at any point before, during, or after a professional bodywork treatment session,” and said the claims were “simply not true.” He also said he had never intended to disrespect anyone or cross a boundary, and apologized to anyone who felt otherwise.

Fox News - Tucker made 73.3% of field-goal attempts in 2024, the lowest rate of his career; his career field-goal percentage was 89.1%, the second-best mark of all time.

Pro Football Network - NFL fans reacted critically to the Chiefs’ signing, with the headline quoting reactions including “Absolutely Diabolical Stuff” and “They Just Do Not Care.”

WHERE:

CNN - Harrison Butker delivered a polarizing commencement address at Benedictine College, saying most women graduates were probably more excited about marriage and having children than starting professional careers.

Fox News - Tucker arrived at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore before the Ravens’ game against the Cleveland Browns on Jan. 4, 2025.

Fox News - The reported allegations concerned sessions at eight spas in and around Baltimore, including the Four Seasons and Ritz-Carlton Residences spas. The report said Tucker was banned from two spas, a claim his legal team denied.

Fox News - Tucker was photographed walking to the locker room after a Ravens-Chargers game in Inglewood, California.

WHEN:

CNN - Tucker became eligible for reinstatement last November.

NBC Sports - Tucker had not been on an active roster or practice squad since his release in May 2025.

Fox News - The first allegations covered sessions between 2012 and 2016; the Baltimore Banner’s report was published in January 2025.

Fox News - The Banner reported that seven more women came forward on February 16, 2025.

Fox News - Tucker was released by the Ravens in May 2025 after 13 seasons.

Fox News - Tucker’s final Ravens game cited in the article was against the Los Angeles Chargers on November 25, 2024.

WHY:

CNN - Reid said he evaluates such signings by doing homework and examining what happened, adding that Tucker served his suspension and spent time involved in the process.

Daily Mail Sports - The suspension was for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy following sexual misconduct allegations.

Pro Football Network - The Chiefs signed Tucker as a possible alternative amid Butker’s struggles.

The Kansas City Chiefs have signed Justin Tucker to their practice squad as a possible alternative to struggling kicker Harrison Butker, who has made 11 of 16 field goals this season and will handle kicking duties in the upcoming game against Denver. Tucker served a 10-game NFL suspension after multiple massage therapists accused him of sexual misconduct or inappropriate behavior; he denies wrongdoing, and the allegations did not lead to criminal charges or civil lawsuits. Coach Andy Reid said Tucker had completed his suspension and that he evaluates signings by looking into what happened, while Patrick Mahomes said his past exchange with Tucker was not a longstanding feud.