The Chiefs are signing kicker Justin Tucker to their practice squad, according to multiple reports Wednesday. NFL Trade Rumors credited Sam McDowell with the news. Sportsnet put Tucker's age at 36. Pro Football Talk and Yahoo Sports both noted he has been out of the league since the Ravens released him in May 2025. Yahoo's Chris Cwik wrote that he has not kicked in the NFL since 2024.

One Yahoo item framed the signing as a return after Tucker violated the NFL's personal conduct policy. The other outlets in our set don't mention that, and none of them says whether any discipline remains in effect. NFL Trade Rumors added that Tucker has worked out for a few other teams but hasn't played since [the summary cuts off]. None of the reports gives contract terms. They also don't say whether Kansas City plans to promote him.

The timing points at Harrison Butker. He missed two field goals in the Chiefs' 20-3 loss at Seattle on Sunday. He went 1 for 3 and made a 50-yarder for Kansas City's only points. Cwik tied the signing directly to those misses, and NFL Trade Rumors said Butker now has "big-name competition." That site said Butker has missed seven kicks this season. It also wrote that the loss came "to the Chiefs", which is a slip, since the Chiefs were the losing team.

Our tables give a slightly different count. Butker is 11 of 16 on field goals (68.8%) and 14 of 15 on extra points through six games. That is five missed field goals and one missed PAT. He is 2 for 6 from 50 or more and 3 for 4 from 40 to 49. He made 33 of 38 (86.8%) last season, so this is a clear drop. Part of it comes from the Seattle game, where the Chiefs managed only 213 total yards and went 3 for 11 on third down.

Kansas City is still 5-1 and first in the AFC West, though it has lost its last two. Butker's kicks have mattered in close games. The Chiefs won 30-27 at Las Vegas on Oct. 4, and a missed kick would have changed the margin in games like that. Tucker's presence gives them an option if the problem continues.

A practice-squad deal doesn't change who kicks on Sunday by itself. The Chiefs would have to elevate Tucker for a game or sign him to the active roster. Their next game is at Denver on Nov. 1, and the reporting doesn't say who will kick there.