Chiefs Bring Justin Tucker Back to the NFL on the Practice Squad as Butker's Misses Pile Up

Justin Tucker is back in the NFL, and he's landing in Kansas City. The Chiefs are signing the veteran kicker to their practice squad, as first reported by Sam McDowell of the Kansas City Star (via Pro Football Rumors and ProFootballTalk).

Why now

Harrison Butker has had a rough October. He is 11-of-16 on field goals this season (via ProFootballTalk), and he missed two of his three tries, from 58 and 45 yards, in Sunday's 20-3 loss in Seattle, the Chiefs' first defeat of the season (via MARCA). Butker is still fifth all-time in field goal percentage (via ProFootballTalk).

Who Tucker is

Tucker spent 13 seasons in Baltimore, made seven Pro Bowls, ranks 17th in NFL history in points and owns the second-best field goal percentage the league has ever seen (via Pro Football Rumors and ProFootballTalk). His last season there was shakier, 22-of-30 on field goals in 2024 (via MARCA).

The history

The Ravens released Tucker in May 2025 after he was accused of sexual misconduct by a number of massage therapists, and the NFL suspended him for the first 10 games of the 2025 season under its personal conduct policy. Tucker has denied the allegations (via ProFootballTalk and MARCA). He worked out for several teams since then, including Miami earlier this month, but hadn't been on a roster or practice squad until now.

What's next

A practice squad deal is an insurance policy, not a demotion for Butker, at least not yet. Tucker hasn't kicked in a real game in well over a year. Watch whether the Chiefs elevate him for a game day, and how Butker answers in his next start.

Our Take: This is a pressure move with a soft landing. Kansas City isn't benching a three-time Super Bowl champion kicker, but it just parked one of the most accurate kickers ever a few lockers down. If Butker's leg steadies, Tucker is a quiet backup. If the misses keep coming, Andy Reid has an answer in the building.

Sources: Pro Football Rumors, ProFootballTalk, MARCA, Kansas City Star (Sam McDowell, original report)