Chiefs sign kicker Justin Tucker to practice squad after 10-game NFL suspension
The Kansas City Chiefs are reported to be signing Justin Tucker to their practice squad after he served a 10-game NFL suspension over massage-therapist misconduct allegations, which he denies. Harrison Butker has struggled at kicker for the Chiefs.
1 / 2
The story, neutrally told
Mixed · 2The Kansas City Chiefs are signing kicker Justin Tucker to their practice squad, according to reports, after he served a 10-game NFL suspension for violating the league's personal conduct policy. Fox NewsR “After serving a 10-game suspension for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy, one of the greatest kickers of all time is reportedly signing with the Kansas City Chiefs' practice squad.” Read at Fox News ↗ NewsweekN “Kansas City is signing former Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker to its practice squad, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Sam McDowell of The Kansas City Star.” Read at Newsweek ↗ Centre · 1Newsweek describes it as Tucker's first NFL contract since the Baltimore Ravens released him in May 2025, and says the suspension was served while he was a free agent. NewsweekN “The move marks Tucker's first NFL contract since his release from Baltimore in May 2025”“the suspension was served while he remained a free agent.” Read at Newsweek ↗ Mixed · 2The suspension stems from allegations first reported by The Baltimore Banner in January 2025, when 16 female massage therapists said Tucker behaved inappropriately and engaged in sexual misconduct during sessions at eight Baltimore-area spas between 2012 and 2016. Fox NewsR “In January 2025, The Baltimore Banner reported that 16 female massage therapists had accused Tucker of sexual misconduct and inappropriate behavior during sessions between 2012 and 2016 at eight spas in and around Baltimore.” Read at Fox News ↗ NewsweekN “16 massage therapists from eight Baltimore-area spas accused him of inappropriate conduct during massage sessions.” Read at Newsweek ↗
Right · 1Fox News adds that the Banner reported seven more accusers in February of the following year, and that five women in the first report said Tucker exposed himself, fully or partially, during sessions. Fox NewsR “Then on Feb. 16 of last year, the same outlet reported that seven more women had come forward with allegations of sexual misconduct against Tucker.”“five women claimed the NFL player was erect during sessions with him and that he fully or partially exposed himself” Read at Fox News ↗ Mixed · 2Tucker has denied the allegations, saying in a statement to OutKick that he did not act inappropriately and had never been told he was unwelcome at any massage provider, while also apologising to anyone who felt disrespected; he was never criminally charged or sued civilly. Fox NewsR “"I maintain I did not act inappropriately at any point before, during, or after a professional bodywork treatment session”“Tucker was never criminally charged or sued civilly over the allegations.” Read at Fox News ↗ NewsweekN “Tucker has consistently denied the allegations. He was not criminally charged” Read at Newsweek ↗ Right · 1The Ravens released Tucker in May 2025 after 13 seasons, which Fox News says the team called a "football decision". Fox NewsR “The Baltimore Ravens released Tucker in May of that year, after 13 seasons with the franchise, calling it a "football decision."” Read at Fox News ↗
Mixed · 2Tucker, 36 and turning 37 next month, holds the NFL record for the longest field goal at 66 yards, has an 89.1% career field-goal rate, and made five first-team All-Pro and seven Pro Bowl selections; his 2024 season was his worst, at 73.3% (22 of 30). NewsweekN “He holds the NFL record for the longest successful field goal at 66 yards, which he made against the Detroit Lions in 2021.”“Tucker converted just 73.3% of his field goal attempts in 2024, connecting on 22 of 30 kicks.” Read at Newsweek ↗ Fox NewsR “Tucker will turn 37 next month and is coming off the worst statistical season of his career.” Read at Fox News ↗ Centre · 1The Chiefs are looking at kicking options because Harrison Butker has struggled; Newsweek says he has missed 15 kicks since the start of the 2025 season and that a practice-squad spot does not guarantee Tucker will replace him. NewsweekN “Current Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker has struggled with consistency, missing 15 total kicks since the beginning of the 2025 season.”“Tucker's addition to the practice squad does not guarantee he will replace Butker” Read at Newsweek ↗ Mixed · 2Tucker has reportedly worked out for several teams since becoming eligible, including the Jets, Colts, Saints and Dolphins. NewsweekN “Tucker has reportedly participated in workouts with several teams, including the New York Jets, Indianapolis Colts, New Orleans Saints and Miami Dolphins.” Read at Newsweek ↗ Fox NewsR “Tucker worked out for the New York Jets last month.” Read at Fox News ↗
Right · 1Fox News compares the case with that of Deshaun Watson, who faced allegations from more than two dozen women, settled 23 civil lawsuits and received an 11-game suspension in 2022, and notes the Chiefs' punter Matt Araiza was accused of rape in a legal battle in which all suits were dropped. Fox NewsR “The allegations prompted comparisons to those made against Deshaun Watson.”“The Chiefs' punter, Matt Araiza, was accused of rape in a highly-contested legal battle, but all suits were dropped.” Read at Fox News ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.
Left0 outlets
No left outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
Centre1 outlet
- Framing
- Newsweek treats it as a roster move: a veteran gets another chance while the Chiefs evaluate their kicking situation, with the allegations as background.
- Emphasis
- Career achievements and records, the sourcing to Rapoport and McDowell, other teams' workouts, and Butker's 15 misses.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Does not give the accusers' specific allegations, Tucker's statement or the Watson comparison.
- Charged language
- “controversial departure”
Right1 outlet
- Framing
- Fox News (OutKick) leads with the sexual misconduct allegations, including their detail, and ties the signing to the Chiefs' kicking problems.
- Emphasis
- Detailed accusations, Tucker's denial and apology, the Deshaun Watson comparison and the Chiefs' punter Matt Araiza.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Does not name the original sources for the signing beyond 'reports', and omits the other teams' workouts beyond the Jets.
- Charged language
- “egregious acts”“kicking woes”“vehemently denied”
What every side reports
- The Chiefs are signing Justin Tucker to their practice squad after a 10-game suspension.
- The suspension followed allegations from 16 massage therapists at eight Baltimore-area spas.
- Tucker denies the allegations and was not criminally charged.
- The Ravens released Tucker in May 2025.
- Tucker's 2024 field-goal rate was 73.3%, a career low, and Harrison Butker has struggled for the Chiefs.
Where accounts differ
-
Whether Tucker was banned from spas
- Centre
- Newsweek does not mention bans.
- Right
- Fox says the Banner reported he was banned from two spas, which his legal team denied.
Justin Tucker person
Tucker denies any inappropriate conduct, saying the claims are 'simply not true', while apologising to anyone who felt disrespected.
“"These claims are simply not true."” — Fox News
“Tucker has consistently denied the allegations.” — Newsweek
Kansas City Chiefs organisation
The Chiefs are reported to be adding Tucker as a practice-squad option while Harrison Butker struggles; no team statement is quoted.
“it provides Kansas City with an experienced alternative.” — Newsweek
“The Chiefs have had their fair share of kicking woes recently” — Fox News
Left0 articles
No coverage yet.
Centre1 article
-
Chiefs Sign Former All-Pro Justin Tucker After NFL Suspension
Neutral Straightforward transaction report sourced to NFL Network and the Kansas City Star, balancing career record with the allegations.
Right1 article
-
Mixed Leads with the signing but spends most of its length on detailed misconduct allegations, Tucker's denial and comparisons to Watson and Araiza.
- 28 Oct 13:45 First Fox NewsR Justin Tucker signs with Chiefs after serving 10-game suspension over sexual misconduct allegations: reports
- 28 Oct 17:36 +3h 52m NewsweekN Chiefs Sign Former All-Pro Justin Tucker After NFL Suspension
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.
Ask about this story
Loading…