Overview
- The Kansas City Chiefs signed veteran kicker Justin Tucker to their practice squad on Oct. 28, giving the team an in-house alternative to Harrison Butker.
- Butker remains on the 53-man roster but has struggled since 2025, missing 15 kicks over that span and converting 11 of 16 field-goal attempts this season.
- Tucker has not played since 2024 and was suspended for 10 games in 2025 after an NFL investigation found violations of the league’s personal conduct policy; he has denied the allegations and faced no criminal charges.
- The practice-squad deal lets the Chiefs elevate Tucker quickly if needed while limiting financial and roster commitment, and sources said Kansas City worked out multiple kickers before choosing Tucker.
- Tucker is one of the most accurate kickers in NFL history, and his presence raises both the prospect of a midseason replacement and renewed scrutiny of the team’s handling of reputational risk.