Chiefs Roster Move: Justin Tucker Joins Practice Squad

Harrison Butker has missed six kicks during the 2026 campaign, prompting the Kansas City Chiefs to sign former Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker to the practice squad. The move was reported initially by The Kansas City Star and confirmed by CBS Sports' Matt Zenitz. Tucker, 36, has not played in the NFL since January 19, 2025.

The Chiefs held tryouts for three kickers this week. They selected Tucker over Harrison Mevis, who previously played for the Los Angeles Rams. Tucker holds the NFL record for the fastest kicker to reach 300 career field goals and 1,000 career points. His career field goal conversion rate stands at 89.1%, and he has made 417 field goals, ranking 14th in league history.

Tucker's absence from the league followed a series of personal and professional hurdles. The Ravens released him in May 2025. In January of that year, The Baltimore Banner reported that six women accused him of sexually inappropriate misconduct at spas in the Baltimore area. The number of accusers later increased to 16 across eight spas. Accusations included Tucker exposing his genitals and touching therapists inappropriately during sessions.

The NFL suspended Tucker for the first 10 games of the 2025 season for violating its personal conduct policy. He went unsigned after the suspension. He participated in workouts with the Indianapolis Colts, New Orleans Saints, and New York Jets, but did not sign a contract with any of those teams.

Butker's struggles have primarily occurred from long range. He is 9-of-10 from inside 50 yards this season. In Week 7, Kansas City lost 20-3 to the Seattle Seahawks. During that game, Butker missed a 58-yard field goal at the end of the first half and a 45-yard attempt in the fourth quarter. He also missed one extra point earlier in the season.

Chiefs head coach Andy Reid addressed Butker's performance after the loss to Seattle. "He's been one of the most consistent kickers in football," Reid said. "He's off a bit, so gotta fix it."

Tucker is a seven-time Pro Bowler and a Super Bowl XLVII champion. His 66-yard field goal was the longest in NFL history until Jacksonville Jaguars kicker Cam Little made a 67-yarder and then a 68-yarder. Butker remains the Chiefs' primary kicker, but the addition of Tucker to the roster indicates the team is preparing for a potential change.