The Kansas City Chiefs signed veteran kicker Justin Tucker to their practice squad on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, providing direct competition for incumbent Harrison Butker following a series of missed kicks and an opening seven weeks marked by uncharacteristic struggles on special teams.
Harrison Butker Struggles Prompt Roster Move in Kansas City
The decision to bring in Tucker comes as Harrison Butker has struggled mightily, missing five field goal attempts and one extra point through the opening portion of the 2026 NFL season. The turning point arrived Sunday night during a 20-3 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, where Butker missed field goal attempts from 58 and 45 yards out at Lumen Field.
Following that rough performance, Butker shares the league lead with five missed field goals alongside Dominic Zvada of the New York Giants and Trey Smack of the Green Bay Packers. Before the current slide, Butker had established a reputation for reliability, recording a conversion rate of at least 84 percent in every campaign across a nine-year stretch.
Andy Reid on Justin Tucker joining the practice squad: "He's done his suspension. … I'll leave it at that. … We try to do our homework the best way we can. Make sure things are OK."
Despite adding Tucker, head coach Andy Reid retains faith in his longtime placekicker, attributing Butker’s recent troubles to mechanical flaws in his form rather than psychological factors. The 31-year-old Butker has missed 10 field-goal attempts and five extra points since the start of the 2025 campaign.
Andy Reid Addresses Justin Tucker Addition and Roster Status
Head coach Andy Reid confirmed the signing during his weekly Wednesday press conference, noting that Tucker worked out alongside Harrison Mevis and Ben Sauls on Tuesday before securing the practice squad spot. Reid made it clear that despite the new arrival, Butker remains on the active 53-man roster and will handle the majority of practice repetitions ahead of Sunday’s game against the Denver Broncos.
We love (Butker). … He understands the business and how it works. He gets it, and he knows that’s part of this business. He’s struggled a little bit. He gets it. He needs to pick it up here a little bit. Butker will get most of the reps this week. He’ll take that and we’ll just see where it goes. It’s fluid.
Andy Reid, Kansas City Chiefs head coach
Reid addressed reporters for approximately five consecutive minutes about the transaction, fielding questions regarding the vetting process and the optics of adding a player with Tucker’s history.
He’s done his suspension and took care of that business. I’ll leave it at that. We try to do our homework the best way we possibly can and talk to a lot of people and make sure things are OK.
Andy Reid, Kansas City Chiefs head coach
When asked by a reporter about the message the signing sends to the large female subsection of the fanbase, Reid reiterated that the veteran kicker completed his mandated ban and addressed the matter accordingly. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes, when asked about adding a central figure from past matchups against the Baltimore Ravens, stated that he tries not to experience extreme highs or lows regarding roster additions.
Justin Tucker Returns to the NFL After Baltimore Release and Suspension
Baltimore released Tucker in May 2025, ending a 13-year tenure that included seven Pro Bowl selections, five first-team All-Pro honors, and a Super Bowl victory during his 2012 rookie season.
Months prior to his release, The Baltimore Banner published a report detailing allegations of inappropriate sexual behavior brought against Tucker by 16 massage therapists from eight high-end spas and wellness centers in the Baltimore area, with incidents allegedly occurring between 2012 and 2016. Tucker denied the allegations, calling them unequivocally false
and describing the reporting as desperate tabloid fodder.
He never faced criminal charges.
The #Chiefs add Justin Tucker, the 7-time Pro Bowler, to their practice squad, the first time he's signed since serving a 10-game suspension for violating the league's Personal Conduct Policy.He's insurance for Harrison Butker, who has missed 15 total kicks since the start of… pic.twitter.com/pyKkabCklI
Following an investigation under the league’s personal conduct policy, the NFL suspended Tucker for the first 10 games of the 2025 season.
Harrison Mevis was 1 of 3 kickers who worked out for the Chiefs this week, but KC wound up signing Justin Tucker over the Thiccer Kicker.Mevis remains a free agent https://t.co/Poqcx2ZN6Y
More on Justin Tucker
The Chiefs worked out several kickers Tuesday and Justin Tucker went 30-for-30 — a reminder of what one of the most accurate kickers in NFL history can do.Tucker already served a 10-week suspension last season, so if the Chiefs need him, he’s eligible to kick Sunday. pic.twitter.com/eUAgLdyeLH
Breaking NewsChiefs sign disgraced star Justin Tucker after NFL ban over sexual misconduct scandal… putting controversial kicker Harrison Butker's job at riskThe Kansas City Chiefs are signing scandalized kicker Justin Tucker to their practice squad amid Harrison Butker's… pic.twitter.com/358peaM9AR
Justin Tucker returns to the NFL, with the Chiefs adding him to their practice squad as a possible in-house alternative to Harrison Butker. In @FOS. https://t.co/VStAeDFlDK
Chiefs are signing K Justin Tucker to their practice squad, as @SamMcDowell11 reported. Tucker hasn’t kicked in the NFL since 2024 after violating the NFL’s personal-conduct policy following allegations of sexual misconduct. pic.twitter.com/fddZBV6UTE
