ExtremeRavens Posted 12 hours ago Posted 12 hours ago Embattled ex-Ravens kicker Justin Tucker could soon be back in the NFL. Tucker, 35, is eligible to be reinstated Tuesday after serving a 10-week suspension for violating the league’s personal conduct policy following several sexual misconduct allegations brought against him earlier this year. He was released by Baltimore in May, about three months after more than a dozen female massage therapists accused him of sexual misconduct at several Baltimore-area spas and wellness centers. Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta called the move a “football decision” in a statement at the time and made no mention of the allegations against the former star. In June, the NFL suspended Tucker following an investigation into the accusations. The league did not release details of the findings, but that is typical unless a player files an appeal and the case goes in front of a disciplinary officer. Tucker has repeatedly denied the allegations, though he did not file an appeal. He has not been charged with a crime and faces no known civil lawsuits. Although Tucker was not eligible to practice with a team until fulfilling his suspension, he was allowed to sign with one before then. The fourth-most accurate kicker in NFL history with a career field goal accuracy rate of 89.1%, Tucker spent his first 11 seasons in Baltimore, where he became one of the faces of the franchise and was a prominent figure in and around the city, along with becoming one of the best kickers in history. He also had the worst year of his career last season, making just 73.3% of his field goal attempts and missing two extra points. Then in January, The Baltimore Banner first reported that six massage therapists said Tucker exposed his genitals, brushed two of them with his exposed penis and left what was believed to be ejaculate on the massage table following three treatments. More than a dozen massage therapists made similar accusations, all having allegedly taken place between 2012 and 2016, and about five months later, he was suspended by the NFL. It was reported last month by NFL Network that the five-time All-Pro and seven-time Pro Bowl selection has been working out his alma mater, Texas, while a free agent and that he had already drawn interest from “several teams.” Where could Tucker possibly land? Here are a few possibilities: Los Angeles Rams The Rams are 7-2 and tied for the best record in the NFC. They are also in desperate need of a dependable kicker. Whether Tucker fits that bill, however, remains to be seen from an organization that has steered clear of controversial players. Still, they are potentially in the market. Joshua Karty had been L.A.’s kicker but was replaced Sunday by second-year pro Harrison Mevis, who didn’t attempt any field goals in the 42-26 win over the San Francisco 49ers but did make all six of his extra point tries. Karty, who is still on the roster for now, had made just 66.7% of his field goal attempts this season, which was the lowest mark in the league. Two of those misses came earlier this month in a blowout win over the New Orleans Saints, and he also missed his third extra point of the season in that game, prompting the change. Whether Mevis is the long-term solution or Karty is able to turn things around remains to be seen, but for a Super Bowl contender, having a kicker that can be counted on is critical. Green Bay Packers The only kicker in the league Karty has been worse than (minimum 10 field goal attempts) is veteran Brandon McManus, who has connected on just 68.8% of his field goal attempts. That included missing a 43-yarder last week in a brutal 16-13 loss to the Carolina Panthers on Nov. 2. McManus, 34, has also missed two games with a quad injury. Those struggles came after he made 95.2% of his field goals last season, which led to a three-year, $15.3 million contract in March. But like the Rams, the Packers are a Super Bowl contender and could be looking for a more dependable option. They also have Lucas Harisik, who filled in for McManus and made all four field goal attempts, including a 61-yarder, in his absence. Atlanta Falcons The mercurial Falcons are already on their third kicker after parting ways with longtime kicker Younghoe Koo and then John Parker Romo, who took over for Koo in Week 2. Romo lasted until only Week 9, though, after he’d made just 66.7% of his field goals and then missed an extra point in a 24-23 loss to the New England Patriots. Now, veteran Zane Gonzalez is their kicker. Former Ravens kicker Justin Tucker, shown in 2024, is eligible to return from his 10-week suspension. But after being suspended because of sexual misconduct allegations and struggling on the field in 2024, will any team want to sign him? (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Gonzalez, 30, made a 43-yarder and both extra points in Atlanta’s wild 31-25 loss to the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, but he has been average at best for the bulk of his career. He’s made 88% of his field goals in a season only twice and hasn’t eclipsed that mark since 2021. For his career, Gonzalez has made just 80.2% of his field goals. Tucker would certainly be a significant upgrade. New York Giants After Graham Gano suffered a herniated disc earlier this month, the Giants elevated Koo from their practice squad beginning in Week 10 after having signed him in September following his Falcons release. In his first action Sunday against the Chicago Bears, he promptly made both field goal attempts and both extra points. Still, New York for years has struggled to find a consistent kicker. The Giants are also not a contender and Tucker’s story would provide ample tabloid fodder they would likely rather avoid. New York also just fired its coach on Monday, so that all but eliminates any chance it would bring Tucker in now. But if he doesn’t sign anywhere, which is another possibility, he perhaps could end up being an affordable option at a position of need with a roster that has some young and inexpensive talent at other key spots. Not signing with anyone would also open up a host of possibilities. One place it’s unlikely that he would return is in the AFC North. Ravens rookie kicker Tyler Loop, whom Baltimore drafted in the sixth round a few weeks before releasing Tucker, has made 16 of 18 field goals. Plus, the Ravens likely wouldn’t have brought him back even if Loop had struggled. Chris Boswell, meanwhile, has been the Pittsburgh Steelers’ kicker since 2015 and holds several franchise records and has made 17 of 20 kicks this season, so no change is happening there. Likewise, Evan McPherson has been the Cincinnati Bengals’ kicker since 2021 and has made 13 of 16 this year. He tied an NFL record for most field goals made in the postseason with 14 during the 2022-23 playoffs. In Cleveland, Andre Szmyt beat out incumbent veteran Dustin Hopkins during training camp and has made 12 of 15 field goal attempts, including two of three from 50-59 yards. Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. View the full article Quote
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