Andy Reid Says Chiefs Did Their Homework Before Signing Justin Tucker to Practice Squad

Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid said the team did its homework before signing kicker Justin Tucker to the practice squad, but he declined to give details when reporters pressed him at his Wednesday media availability. Tucker, 36, served a 10-game suspension last season for violating the NFL personal conduct policy after allegations of sexually inappropriate behavior, according to the New York Post.

“Listen, I’m not going to get into all that,” Reid said. “But, to bring him in here, I did some homework. I’m not going to get into all that, but I mean, he’s here and he’s on the practice squad. So we roll with it.” Reid said the Chiefs “talked to a lot of people” when asked about the involvement of team ownership in the move.

Questions about the message to fans

When asked what message the signing sends to women in Kansas City, Reid would not elaborate. “He’s done his suspension, you know, took care of that business there. I’ll leave it at that for you,” he said. One reporter asked about his decision process after noting that Reid has a long history of giving second chances, and Reid said he tries to check what has taken place since an incident.

“I try to do homework on it and see exactly what has been, what’s taken place since,” Reid said. “But you know, I mean, the kid, he served a suspension. It’s been time. There’s been time involved with it. So that’s how I value it.” Reid added that he did not speak to the team before signing Tucker, and he said he does not expect the move to become a distraction in the locker room.

Background and the kicking situation

The allegations against Tucker became public in January 2025, the Post reported. The Baltimore Banner reported that Tucker was accused of sexual misconduct by 16 female massage therapists across eight spas and wellness centers in the Baltimore area, and the NFL opened an investigation after that report. Tucker called the allegations “unequivocally false” in a statement at the time, and he later told OutKick that he did not act inappropriately at any point before, during or after a professional bodywork treatment session. Tucker was released by the Baltimore Ravens last May and became eligible to return from suspension in November 2025, according to the Post. He has not played since his release.

The Chiefs brought in three kickers amid what the Post called a career-worst start to the season for Harrison Butker. Reid said Tucker did really well in his workout, called the team’s kicker situation “fluid” and said Butker’s “technique is off a bit.” Butker will get most of the first-team reps and will play this week against the Denver Broncos, Reid said. Tucker, a seven-time Pro Bowl selection and five-time All-Pro, ranks second all time in field goal percentage at 89.1% and 14th in field goals made with 417, according to the Post.

Reporting based on coverage by the New York Post.