Andy Reid Defends Chiefs’ Decision to Sign Justin Tucker

What changed

Kansas City has signed Justin Tucker to its practice squad, and coach Andy Reid has publicly defended the decision.

Tucker served a 10-game NFL suspension under the league’s personal conduct policy after allegations of sexual misconduct by 16 massage therapists. He has denied the allegations, was never criminally charged and is now available for selection.

Why it matters

This is both a football move and a test of the Chiefs’ judgment. Tucker remains one of the NFL’s most accurate kickers, making 89.1% of his field-goal attempts across 13 seasons, but he is also 36 and coming off the worst season of his career, when he made 73.3%.

The timing is clear. Harrison Butker has missed five of 16 field-goal attempts this season, including two in Kansas City’s 20-3 loss to Seattle. Tucker gives Reid an experienced alternative without immediately removing Butker or committing to a change on game day.

Reid says the Chiefs did their “homework” before bringing Tucker in, but he has not explained what that involved. For now, Tucker is on the practice squad. Whether he is elevated to the active roster, or takes over kicking duties, remains undecided.