Chiefs sign Justin Tucker after Butker's 15 misses

The Kansas City Chiefs signed veteran kicker Justin Tucker to their practice squad on Wednesday, adding a veteran presence to address struggles behind Harrison Butker. Butker has missed 15 kicks since the start of last season, the most in the National Football League during that period. The move places Tucker directly behind Butker for the remainder of the campaign.

Special teams coach Dave Toub stated that Butker remains the preferred kicker. Toub explained that the team brought Tucker in to provide competition and a sounding board for the incumbent starter. The Chiefs also worked out Ben Sauls and Harrison Mevis before selecting Tucker. Toub noted that Tucker, who spent 13 seasons with the Baltimore Ravens, had been out of the league for a season.

Tucker missed most of the previous year due to a 10-game suspension for violating the personal conduct policy. He was released by the Ravens in 2025 after reports of sexual misconduct allegations by 16 massage therapists. Tucker called those accusations unequivocally false and tabloid fodder. He is now attempting a comeback with the Chiefs.

Butker has missed five field goals and one point after touchdown this season. He is tied with the Green Bay Packers' Trey Smack for the most missed field goals in the league. In a 20-3 loss to the Seattle Seahawks last Sunday, Butker missed a 58-yard attempt at the half and a 45-yard try with 8 1/2 minutes remaining. Seattle scored a touchdown on the subsequent drive to secure the victory.

Toub attributed the misses to Butker trying to be too accurate. The coach said Butker was worried about pulling the ball and did not put full power into the kicks. Toub also suggested that pressure from the left side may have caused the 45-yard attempt to go wide right. He described the 45-yard miss as a bad miss that contributed to the decision to bring in Tucker.

Tucker performed 30 kicks during his tryout in Kansas City. The session included 10 extra points and seven kicks over 50 yards, with the longest being a 60-yarder. Toub said Tucker was accurate and off-the-charts good during the workout. Toub added that he had heard Tucker was hitting the ball well and wanted to see it for himself.

During a windy practice on Wednesday, Butker made all 10 of his attempts while Tucker stood behind him. Toub called the performance a good thing. The Chiefs will continue to work on Butker's technique and confidence. Toub emphasized that every position has competition and that the team needed a ready option on the practice squad.